This from the Daily News. Naming rights, anyone? And a realy cool design team.
Two new outdoor skating rinks slated to be built
by 2010 will give Prospect Park twice the ice and a possible naming
rights windfall, officials announced yesterday.
The 46-year-old Kate Wollman ice rink, which has slowly deteriorated
over time, will be replaced with two high-tech rinks to accommodate
growing crowds. About 100,000 skaters visit each winter."This will give skaters a lot more room than they have on the existing
rink," Mayor Bloomberg said. "That’s great because on a busy Saturday
afternoon, Wollman Rink can really look like Times Square at rush hour."Construction of the $39 million project, dubbed the Lakeside Center, is
expected to begin next year, officials said. The project, designed by
Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, will include two regulation-sized
ice hockey rinks and a building that could house a gift shop, classroom
and cafe.The site of the current 26,000-square-foot rink will be restored as
part of the original lakefront as envisioned by famed park designer
Frederick Law Olmsted."Not only will the Lakeside Center be a shining example of green
design, but this section of Prospect Park will be restored to reflect
the original vision for generations to come," said Brooklyn Borough
President Marty Markowitz.Besides $24.5 million chipped in by federal, city and local officials,
an additional $15 million is expected to be raised through fund-raisers
and possible naming rights."We’re out there talking to foundations and private donors," said Prospect Park spokesman Eugene Patron.