Private vendor gets Cyr

from masslive.com - The Republican

By PETER GOONAN
pgoonan@repub.com

SPRINGFIELD - The city plans to hire a private company to take over management of the Cyr Arena skating rink at Forest Park, but has canceled bids received for private management of the two municipal golf courses.

The city's Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management has laid off four city employees who were assigned to the skating rink, and reassigned four others to vacant positions within the department, Personnel Director Marilyn Montagna said this week.

Facilities Management Corp., of Rockland, was the successful bidder to take over management of Cyr Arena, officials said.

Philip Puccia, the executive director of the Springfield Finance Control Board, said the decision to choose a private vendor for the skating arena was deemed in the best interest of the city.

"It's the right mix of quality service and reasonable costs," Puccia said. "I think the city is often faced with decisions about what services it should provide under its own workforce and what services it should buy from outside vendors."

The laid-off employees were a rink maintenance worker; an accounts payable clerk; an environmental manager; and a skate guard.

Four other employees were reassigned within the department to vacant positions. Those reassigned were a rink/golf course manager; a temporary foreman; and two rink maintenance workers.

For more than a decade, Facility Management Corp., has operated 10 rinks in Massachusetts for the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. The state rinks are in Worcester, Auburn, Marlboro, Gardner, Franklin, Brockton, Plymouth, New Bedford, Fall River and Taunton.

In addition, the company has provided management and operational services for various municipal rinks including the Burlington Ice Palace, the Chelmsford Forum, and the West Suburban Arena in Natick.

The company will receive a five-year contract in Springfield.

Increases in user fees, such as ice rental, require the approval of the Park Commission, according to the Request for Proposals.

Facility Management Corp., was chosen over a second firm, Rink Management Services, of Mechanicsville, Va.

Patrick J. Sullivan, the department director, was not available for comment late this week regarding the financial impact of turning the rink over to private management in revenues for the city and reduced expenses. The city, meanwhile, canceled both bids received for private management and operation of the Franconia and Veterans Golf Courses. The city will reevaluate its options, and it remains possible bids could be solicited again in the future, officials said.