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STEUBENVILLE -- While many people don't have a lot of positive memories from the COVID pandemic, the Rev. Dave Pivonka, TOR, said something that happened three years ago on the temporary ice skating rink at Franciscan Square made a big impact on him.
"I came down on several nights," remembered Pivonka, the president of the Franciscan University of Steubenville. "On one of the evenings when I came down and there were kids from around the area -- I counted shirts and letter jackets from four or five schools from the area. There were sons and daughters of our faculty and staff members, there were our own students -- all of this population that was gathered in the midst of one of the craziest times in our history.
"We had this scene -- people were playing, laughing, ice skating and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate," Pivonka said.
Those memories made it easy to support the construction of the Rink at Franciscan Square, a larger, permanent installation, he said Monday as plans for the project were announced during a press conference at the Best Western Plus Franciscan Inn.
Expected to be completed in August and ready for a season that will run from November through February, the $1 million ice rink will feature a permanent refrigeration system and more skating area than before.
"We are building a top-notch rink," said Phil Rook, director of real estate development at the university.
The 80-foot-by-64-foot skating surface will be about 60 percent larger than the previous temporary setup, he explained. It will be surrounded by a glass wall, feature stainless steel railing and will be professionally resurfaced by a Zamboni.
Trinity Health System will be the title sponsor, with additional support coming from the Charles M. and Thelma Pugliese Charitable Foundation.
"We are so excited to partner with Franciscan University in yet another way, as together we seek to transform not only Steubenville, but the broader community," said Matt Grimshaw, Trinity's CEO.
The rink, according to Rook, will be constructed on the green space at Franciscan Square by Everything Ice, a Johnstown, Pa.-based company that specializes in permanent, temporary and synthetic skating facilities. Among the projects it has completed is the skating rink at PPG Plaza in downtown Pittsburgh, an installation that has become a centerpiece of the Christmas season.
Local companies also will have a hand in the construction, Rook added.
"We will have local contractors doing the electrical work, the concrete work and the excavation work," he said, adding construction is scheduled to begin on May 15.
Operated through Good Venture Properties, the rink is expected to offer promotions in collaboration with Franciscan Square's tenants including the Best Western, Bennigan's, Rubi's Pizza and Grill and Brooklyn Bagel on the Square, the university said in a press release.
"The spectators will have a great view of the skaters from the outdoor patios, as well as inside the restaurants," Rook added.
He said that when the skating season is over, the familiar green turf will be returned.
"We're looking to have more events there and draw even more people to the area," Rook continued.
Franco Carapellotti, owner of Fraspada Management and developer of Franciscan Square, and Joe Luckino, owner of Cedar One Realty, Fraspada's partner in the development, said the permanent rink will have a positive impact on the area.
"It will be a focal point for kids and families to enjoy," Luckino said. "It is a drawing card for other businesses to circle around for future development on the square.'
Carapellotti said he was happy to see the bigger, better rink coming.
"We're thrilled to have it back here as a permanent fixture," he said. "We're grateful for the hard work put into making this happen, both by the university and the supportive community."
Tom Gentile, president of the university's community relations board, added the rink "is one more example of all of the wonderful things Franciscan University brings to our community."
The rink will benefit the entire region, Rook said.
"This is going to greatly impact the restaurants and businesses, create more jobs and be a draw for new businesses that are considering our location. It is going to benefit the community by providing much-needed outdoor recreation for families."