Matt Brown Speaks to Gov. Patrick About Norwood Hockey Rink

Editor's Note: The following is taken from a press release from the office of Rep. John H. Rogers

Governor Deval Patrick met with Norwood’s own Matt Brown yesterday at the State House to hear his remarks on the public skating rink proposed in Norwood. 

State Representative John H. Rogers (D-Norwood), who secured $5.659 million for a public rink in Norwood within the state’s capital budget, said that Matt was “masterful in his testimony” and “charming in his approach.”

The Stonehill College freshman, Brown is concentrating in both business and communications.

The full text of Brown's statement is below:

Governor Patrick, on behalf of my hometown, I thank you for your great stewardship of Massachusetts and also a very special thanks for approving and signing Chapter 239, Section 58, which authorizes the state’s capital budget to expend $5.6 million for the construction of a permanent ice skating rink and recreation center in the town of Norwood.

It is my understanding that the Norwood project, like the larger-scale Jackson Square project, is consistent with the principles espoused in your 2012-2016 Five-Year Capital Investment Plan.

A public skating rink constructed and located in Norwood would enrich the lives of thousands of citizens living in communities throughout Norfolk County and the South Shore. 

Over the last two decades, the landscape of youth sports, and hockey in general, has changed dramatically.

Private rinks cater to those that have the money to spend thousands of dollars for a son or a daughter to participate in hockey and figure skating.  As a business model, these facilities have locked out the non-profit youth groups that were established years ago solely to provide skating programs to local kids at affordable rates.

Over time, the growing lack of public facilities has cut off access to ice time for non-profit groups, thus severely limiting participation from medium and low-income families within our region of the Commonwealth.

The lack of public facilities has also limited the amount of public skating.  A public rink will enable families to enjoy quality family time and exercise together. Friday nights often meant the family heading out for skating, for fun and exercise, and then relaxing at a local restaurant before heading home.  It was an inexpensive night out for families that lead to tight knit communities and energized area economies.   

Under your leadership, these times can and will return and they will usher in a new era of social, recreational, and economic vitality for our part of Massachusetts.

Governor Patrick, I close by thanking you for inviting us here to the People’s house and I cordially invite you to visit me, once again, at my house in Norwood. And this time please, stay for dinner. I would only ask... that when you come, you kindly arrive around 5:30... and with a check for $5.6 million.  Thank you.