Greenwich’s Hamill Rink Development Committee elected its leadership Oct. 5 as it begins work to seek private funding and advise on the design of a replacement ice rink in Byram.

Members selected Stephanie Cowie as chair, Dan Izzo as vice chair and Eric LaRosse as secretary without objection, according to the meeting’s draft minutes.

First Selectman Fred Camillo formed the nine-member committee to help secure private contributions toward the planned $41.2 million Hamill Rink and Morlot Park improvement project. The goal is to reduce taxpayer costs through a public-private partnership, according to the town’s committee page.

The committee will also provide design input to town staff, drawing on perspectives from the skating and hockey communities and Byram residents.

The town’s published roster lists Cowie, Izzo and LaRosse alongside Matt DesChamps, Ryan Munroe, Matt Piscopo, Joe Rothenberg, Peter Samponaro and Christina Schwefel.

Next meeting planned

At the Oct. 5 special meeting, members reviewed a draft statement outlining the committee’s responsibilities and agreed to bring proposed revisions to their next session.

According to the draft minutes, members planned to meet by Zoom at 6 p.m. Oct. 12 to receive a project update and consider the mission statement and a regular meeting schedule. Monthly meetings on the first Monday remained tentative.

Rink and park improvements

The $41.2 million project would replace the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink at Eugene Morlot Memorial Park and make improvements throughout the surrounding park.

Plans include a standard-sized ice surface, locker rooms to support coed sports, accessibility improvements, infrastructure for a solar array, additional restrooms accessible to park users and event space adjoining a snack bar, according to the town’s project page.

The proposal also includes relocating the baseball field, improving the playground, redeveloping parking and adding an access drive to Western Junior Highway. The existing rink would remain operational while its replacement is built.

Years of review

The Representative Town Meeting rejected an earlier municipal improvement proposal in January 2025. Camillo established a task force that March to evaluate possible locations.

The task force reviewed 12 potential sites and nearly 200 town-owned parcels before recommending Morlot Park. Camillo accepted its recommendation in January 2026, according to a town press release.

The RTM approved project funding through the town budget in May, then approved the municipal improvement proposal in June by a vote of 159-32, with 13 abstentions, Greenwich Time reported.

The existing rink opened as an outdoor facility in November 1971. It was dedicated in Hamill’s name in March 1976 after her Olympic figure skating victory, according to Greenwich Free Press.

Construction anticipated in 2027

The town’s posted timeline targets final site-plan review in October, completion of architectural and engineering design in December and bidding in January 2027.

Construction timing remains a target: The posted schedule lists March 2027, while Camillo told Greenwich Time in September that he hoped groundbreaking would occur in late spring or early summer. He described the development committee as advisory, without voting authority over the project.

Residents can direct questions and comments to the Office of the First Selectman at 203-622-7710.