It is my opinion that a new ice arena should not be situated on town land across from the Scarborough Public Library. ??Building the hockey rink there will:? deprive the library of overflow parking for their FREE well-attended events;? eliminate two basketball courts which provide FREE unorganized exercise;? increase vehicle traffic in that area; and? require filling wetlands, exacerbating drainage issues in the area.??

Frankly, the Scarborough Public Library serves a greater purpose and more residents in town than an ice arena ever will. Before the town invests in a hockey rink that will serve a limited number of people who must pay for access, we should invest in an expansion of the library.?? I have organized a number of public events in Scarborough and have found the library is the only building in which I can reliably schedule space. Long-scheduled events have been bumped from both school buildings and the Town Hall – even after invitations were printed.

The library is always a gracious, accommodating host. The library serves the greater good. I’m not so sure about a hockey rink.

??I also have concerns about the financial feasibility of the ice arena. Have the Scarborough Town Councilors seen a fundraising feasibility study? Have they seen a detailed business plan? Scarborough residents should have more information on the long-term viability of this project before our elected representatives make a lease agreement. ??An ice arena will provide limited use for a limited number of people. The Scarborough Public Library serves us all. I believe another site be found for an ice arena, a site that won’t be detrimental to our fine library.

Also, is everyone aware that the library keeps a basketball under the desk for kids to check out? They burn off their excess energy while waiting for a ride home after school. Scarborough’s children could use more unregimented, unscheduled exercise.

?Susan DeWitt Wilder

?Scarborough