Navigating Norwood

I don’t understand why there is such opposition to this rink! Norwood is a big hockey town. We have many kids involved from four years old up through High School. We have been trying to get a rink for years but have not been able to raise the money or find a site. Now thanks to some hardworking people in the RINC committee and much welcomed help from State Representative John Rogers, he has secured over five million dollars to build this rink.

After looking at every possible site in Norwood, the one that makes the most sense is at the Coakley Middle School. The land does not need to purchased, the utilities are in place and the tennis courts will be moved to an abandoned walking track. This site would give us the best bang for our buck in serving as a multi-purpose facility. It would allow families to possibly shuttle kids to one place opposed to going back and forth across town (thus creating more “traffic”). The site would also have the potential of serving as an indoor haven in the summer when the camps are running at the Coakley. The kids would be able to enjoy games such as floor hockey, kickball or dodgeball during times of inclement weather or just another option in their daily routine. This would serve another whole population in our community.

So what is the problem? The same problem that always comes up; not in my backyard or too much “traffic.” I live in the area of the Balch school and have lived in Norwood all my life. When they put up the lights for baseball at the Balch, so all ages could enjoy playing at night, I didn’t object to the lights or the increased parking on the streets near my house. I loved the fact our youth were enjoying themselves in a safe environment. Some people are complaining about traffic because of the rink. People need to adjust to the conditions if they should arise on occasion. Day in and day out during the months used a rink will not generate any additional stress. On occasion, lots of events run within the town can create minor congestion. The town has many roads that can be used to get through town without using Washington St. You have Walpole St., Pleasant St. and Rte 1. Let’s not lose this gift from the state because a few people can’t figure out how to navigate around town when venues for various events are in use.

Bernie Troilo