Memoranda of understanding have been signed between Belmont and two of the future anchor tenants of the new municipal ice rink, which is under construction, creating a funding plan for the installation of solar panels on the building.
An additional agreement has been signed with Belmont Light, which will donate $250,000 to support the solar initiative, partnering to sell renewable energy credits.
“I’m excited to not only decrease the operating cost of the rink, but also reduce our carbon footprint,” said Select Board member Taylor Yates.
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The operation and opening of the Belmont skating rink remain the subject of ongoing discussion nearly two years after voters approved a $29.9 million debt exclusion to build a new ice rink, as the former one had become unusable.Last winter, renewed estimates revealed that the cost of the building as designed was closer to $35 million. In June 2024, after the Municipal Rink Building Committee pared down design plans to bring the cost closer to $32 million, Town Meeting members appropriated an additional $1.5 million to cover the budget shortfall. Additionally, state Sen. William Brownsberger secured a $750,000 state grant to install a carbon dioxide refrigeration system.
Of particular interest in recent months has been the commitment made to voters in 2023 to include solar panels as part of the project. Town Administrator Patrice Garvin looked to the rink’s future long-term tenants for a potential solution.
Per the agreement, Belmont Hill School’s memorandum of understanding with the town includes a $500,000 donation, part of which will help to fund the installation of the solar panels, with the remainder to cover prepayment for two seasons of ice time. Belmont Hill will rent the ice from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m., three times a week, and will receive an additional 30 minutes of ice time at non-peak times.
Belmont Day School, meanwhile, contributed $200,000 toward the construction of the solar energy system. In return, the school will receive data from the solar panels to support educational initiatives.
“I really do want to thank the Belmont Day School for what is, effectively, a donation. They’re asking for very, very little in return, and we are appreciative of that,” said Select Board Chair Elizabeth Dionne.
Other long-term tenants include Belmont High School, which will have access to the rink at no cost, Belmont Youth Hockey, and Belmont Recreation.
Currently, the ice rink is on schedule to open in time for the winter hockey season, according to Mark Haley, chair of the Municipal Rink Building Committee. He called the solar panel plans a “great initiative” and said that bids for it are being evaluated.
Select Board member Matt Taylor expressed that this collaboration was “on brand for our town,” calling it a great opportunity to advance both education and renewable energy.
“I want to thank our town administrator for … bringing parties together that, at times in our history, have struggled to talk to each other — especially in collaborative ways — and here we are,” Taylor said. “That takes real leadership and effort to get there.”
