A permit has been approved for hockey center.
EAST LONGMEADOW – The Planning Board has approved a special permit that will allow the construction of an inline hockey center off Maple Street.
The project was proposed by Maple Crane Realty, of East Longmeadow, and would be managed by Eric Weichselbaumer, of Hampden.
“The board feels this has the potential to provide some much-needed recreational space for the older teens and young adults in town,” said Planning Board Director Robyn D. Macdonald.
The rink would be built where there are currently some run-down warehouses. The site will be off Maple Street with a main entrance on Crane Street.
During the special permit hearing on Feb. 15, the board expressed hopes that the facility will be an improvement to the neighborhood, especially since the current facility is broken down.
Both the police and fire departments approved the project with several conditions including the installation of a sprinkler system, lighting in the parking lot and doorways of the establishment and a traffic study.
Weichselbaumer, who formerly managed the Enfield Roller Hockey Rink, said he does not expect to see more than 10 cars per hour in the parking lot which will be shared by the rink and Avalanche Landscaping.
Weichselbaumer also expressed a desire to add a small ice rink that would be used for training within the facility.
Planning Board Chairman Donald Anderson said the ice rink is not a part of the special permit and will not be allowed on the property unless the owners come back to apply for an amendment to the approved permit.
Anderson said ice rinks are extremely popular and would change the traffic conditions and affect the parking situation outside the facility.
“The special permit is very limited. The board would like to see how it works out as just an inline skating rink before they allow anything more than that,” Macdonald said.