By Talia Perrea

For the past four years, Drew Beckwith, a senior and townhouse president at St. Michael’s College, has been staring at the 300s field, seeing a world of possibility.

Each year, when the 300s field floods, Beckwith saw an opportunity to do something for the community. “You always see people skating like, come spring time, or just when we get freeze or thaws,” said Beckwith, who dreamed up a plan for an ice rink in the field.

Beckwith had to go through a lengthy process before he could start the construction on the rink. First, he had to get approval from Student Life, the head of Student Activities, and the Student Association, before anything could be started. “Never giving up, kept pushing for it, and carrying around a giant whiteboard to help plan things out,” Beckwith said, describing what he needed to do.

“The major part of the funding came from the Student Association programming budget that is managed by the Secretaries of Programming Anika Bieg and MK Costello,” said Kerri Leach, the Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Student Activities at the college. “Also, Drew received a gift of $400 from a donor. In total the rink has cost about $3,000.”

Beckwith had plenty of help from his friends and volunteers from the 300s. He also had help from campus architect Jim Farrington and Joel Ribout from the college maintenance department.

The rink is located in front of townhouse 337 on the 300s field, and will be surrounded by a snow fence. Beckwith also plans to have lights put up, so skating can take place during all hours.

Margaret DiMasi, a residence director at the college, has donated ice skates, hockey pucks, and hockey sticks. Ice skates will be limited so students will need to bring their own.

Although many students are excited about the idea of an ice rink on campus, some students question the project. Josh Dionne, Secretary of the class of 2020, said, “I think it is unnecessary and a waste of funds. A lot of the talk that had been put through about making the ice rink put a lot of strain on the facility for grounds keeping…. They really didn’t have the proper means to set up and have an organized schedule for it.”

Despite his concerns the ice rink was approved by the Student Association.

Beckwith is hoping to get the rink open before Christmas break, when the hockey team can enjoy it during winter break. At this point it’s weather dependent on when the rink will open. Physical Plant will be leveling the ground this week, and then Beckwith and his crew will lay down the poly wrap. The final step will be Chief Erik Haversang and the SMC Fire and Rescue team coming with a truck to fill the rink in layers.

The ice skating schedule has yet to be established, but Beckwith said, “[Information will be posted] on class pages, and we’ll probably get a mass email going for everyone who wants to participate.”

The ice skating rink will either be handed off to the hockey team, or the town house president, but Beckwith said he hopes it will continue for years to come.

“Instead of looking at two feet of snow in the threes field, we’ll be able to skate,” said Beckwith. “It’ll be good for the community.