A Sweat Heart Deal On Ice

Creepy Polar Express'esque Image via NYC Parks Department

With a $74 million price tag and a recent $10 million donation from the LeFrak Family, the Lakeside Center will be opening this December after a shit load of complications and an ever-rising price tag. According to Curbed, the ice rink will now carry the name of Samuel and Ethel LeFrak, named after the parents of the donors. But the entire complex has only been funded with a total of $17 million in private funds, the rest have been public.

So like Wollman Rink in Central Park who pays over 2 million in rent it's expected that this new facility will be shelling out something comparable right? Nope, not at all. As a matter of fact this is the last good rental deal in the borough. How does free sound? The Lakeside Complex doesn't have to pay a damn dime during its first year of operation and then only $100,000 a year for 16 years. Wowza!

As reported by the Daily News Geoffrey Croft, leader of the NYC Park Advocates says: "This is an extremely extravagant parting gift from the mayor." Yes, that Bloomie is a real class act leaving a skating rink in his successor's neighborhood. Croft didn't say that, I did. 

A Park's Department spokeswoman, Tara Kiernan had this to say: “The Alliance’s fundraising efforts have helped the city to provide a world-class, year-round recreational facility and restore 26 acres of parkland, previously inaccessible to the public.” Are we feeling a little defensive, Ms. Kiernan? And are you related to Pat in any way?

Controversial or not, lace up your skates FIPS'ters and join me on the ice this December as I fall on my ass over and over again.