Archive: Around Town

State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio was at the Lansing Community Recreational Center (LCRC -- better known as "The Rink/The Field") Saturday to announce he has secured a $125,000 State grant for the Lansing Community Recreational Center. Saying it is a great day for Lansing, he handed an oversized check over to officials and kids who had gathered for the event. Nozzolio said that besides providing programs, the facility and its programs help to attract new business to the Lansing area.

As Nozzolio signed the big check before the presentation, he asked Board President Joe Perry what the money will be used for."The money will help finish the mezzanine area out in the Field that we weren't able to complete when we started," said Perry. "This grant will help us complete that and bring opportunities to bring in additional services to the community."

Signing the giant check, Senator Nozzolio (right) changs the date to acknowledge Andy Sciarabba's (left) birthday as Sciarabba and Joe Perry look on.

"It's important to acknowledge Andy Sciarabba," Perry continued. "He started this whole process back in the late '80s. In '95 we built The Rink, not only through fund raising, but a lot of physical effort, a lot of cigars and a lot of fun in the process. In 2001 we brought on this project, the field house, with over 60,000 square feet, two soccer fields and the connector building between the two properties."

"In 1986 we started raising money," Sciarabba told the Senator. "We had $350,000 pledged for the ice rink. We didn't build it for ten years, but all the people honored their pledges."

Board President Joe Perry introduces Senator Nozzolio.

The presentation drew a large number of supporters, young athletes and parents. "Any monies invested in youth activities in particular are monies well invested in our future," Nozzolio told the crowd as he presented the check. He noted that although the presentation was on January 14th he had changed the date on the 16th to commemorate Sciarabba's birthday. He concluded by thanking those assembled "for supporting this wonderful effort."

LCRC is a not-for-profit facility that is open every day of the year, up to 20 hours a day. It is self supported by user fees and advertisements on banners placed around the facility. The two main buildings house a skating rink, two soccer fields, a miniature golf course and a fitness center.

Senator Nozzolio hands the check to some of the youth athletes who use the facility.

Athletic programs bring in over 3,200 kid and adult athletes per week, not counting parents. On top of that birthday parties bring in 400 per year, after school programs 500, summer camps 250 and trade shows bring 20,000 people to The Rink/The Field each year. Perry said the fitness center is often used by parents while their kids attend athletic programs, and by a new clientele of users as well.

After the presentation Perry told the Star that the professional staff does whatever it takes to make all the programs work, and to keep the facility open the many hours it is available. "Russ Johnson and his staff do a super job of running this facility," he said. "He's juggling all the balls."

Sciarabba and Perry take the Senator on a tourof The Field to see where the money will go.

New programs being considered include archery, aerobics, jazzercize, boy scout meetings, and senior meetings. "There's always more fund raising to be done," Perry said, "especially as we increase programs." This grant will go a long way toward making them happen.

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