$4.3 Million Makeover Transforming Grippen Park in Endicott

A new roof is being installed on the old Grippen Park ice rink building in West Endicott as a big renovation project moves forward.

The park is operated by Broome County. The facility has been underutilized in the years since the skating facility sustained severe flood damage in April 2005.

The county is redeveloping the park as part of a $4.3 million initiative that will repair and modernize the rink building. Additional amenities also will become available at the park.

New ice-making equipment will not be installed in the structure, which was shut down after a chemical in the original refrigeration system contaminated the site after the flooding nearly two decades ago. A recreational ice rink will be operated at the site during the winter.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said the former concession area in the rink building is being "completely redone."

In addition to renovating the building, five pickleball courts, a basketball court, a wiffle ball stadium and a flag football field will be added to the park.

Garnar said the renovation design incorporates flood resilience measures to mitigate potential future damage from high water.

The county executive said he expects much of the park upgrade can be finished by late this summer.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.