The East End now boasts a new NHL-sized ice rink of its own.
This Saturday, the Peconic Hockey Foundation proudly unveiled the rink to the public during a dedication ceremony, officially naming the arena after the New York Islanders’ first captain: Ed Westfall Arena at Peconic Ice Rinks.
Situated at 5789 Middle Country Road, Calverton, the facility is located near the newly opened adventure park, Scott’s Pointe.
Westfall, along with other members of the Islanders organization, including co-owner Jon Ledecky, and former players John Tonelli, Pat LaFontaine, and Steve Webb, graced the rink’s grand opening with their presence.
“This is absolutely heartwarming,” Westfall said of the rink’s dedication in his honor. “I really think about how much this does for a community. I grew up in Ontario; small rinks like this are where we learned how to play (hockey), and it brought families.”
(Watch the full interviews with Westfall and Ledecky above.)
The ice rink, enveloped by a dome, will be accessible year-round, as indicated on the Peconic Hockey Foundation’s website.
During this winter season, the Ed Westfall Arena plans to offer a long list of activities, including public open skating, adult and youth leagues, and educational programs.
About Peconic Hockey Foundation
Founded in 2015, the Peconic Hockey Foundation emerged from the initiative of East End parents, driven by the ambition to introduce an ice rink to the region.
According to a statement on the foundation’s website, “Peconic’s aim is to grow the culture of hockey and skating by helping to offset the cost of participation and by creating more opportunities for families who want to skate.”
The group anticipates welcoming approximately 200,000 visitors to its facility from Long Island and the New England areas.
Scroll down for photos from the ceremony and an inside tour of the facility. The photos were taken by Christopher Scott of Nomadic Friend Productions.
