Ed Snider Foundation Saves Local Rinks

In an unprecedented public-private partnership, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, and Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider have announced that the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, in partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, will completely renovate and enclose three of the City-owned public skating rinks to make them fully operational on a year-round basis.

The three rinks are the Scanlon Ice Rink, the Laura Sims Skatehouse at Cobbs Creek, and the Rink at Simons Recreation and Teen Access Center. Snider Hockey will also make significant improvements to the City’s other two public rinks, Rizzo Rink and Tarken Rink.

The Foundation, largely through a personal commitment by Ed Snider, and the City will contribute more than $6.5 million to match a grant from the Commonwealth’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

“This agreement is a unique public-private partnership,” said Nutter. “I am pleased that Snider Hockey is able to work with the City to enclose these structures and make them accessible to the community year-round. I applaud Ed Snider and his Foundation for providing a safe haven for our kids that will help to unite these communities.”

Snider Hockey first partnered with the City in 2008, when it began operating three City rinks that had been targeted for closure. Recognizing that its after-school skating program had an enormous impact on children and families in inner-city neighborhoods, Snider Hockey and the City agreed instead to expand their partnership to include all five of the City-owned rinks in 2009.

Snider Hockey recently reached a 20-year agreement with the City and paid to extend its partnership through 2030. This agreement was a key component in the Foundation’s decision to make its multi-million dollar investment that will ensure the long-range sustainability of these vital community resources.

Snider Hockey provides free “learn to skate” programs, public skating opportunities, ice hockey instruction, and league play, including all equipment, as well supplemental academic services at no charge to participants. The Philadelphia Department of Recreation will continue to maintain the rinks.

The partnership will also allow the rinks to operate seven days a week. This will enable Snider Hockey to expand its scope of programming in the wake of the tremendous positive responses from children and families who participate in the Foundation’s After School sessions that are delivered in the out-of-school time hours when inner-city children are most vulnerable to undesirable influences. The After School program provides boys and girls with structured educational programs that complement the daily on-ice activities.

“This partnership is truly remarkable,” said Snider. “I am proud to think of what this will mean for the children and families that will now have open and free access to fully renovated facilities seven days a week year round. I am hopeful that this might serve as a national model for what can be accomplished when local government and the private sector come together in support of pressing community needs. The result of our partnership will be a stronger Philadelphia.”

“This is very exciting. The residents of the surrounding communities will gain a first-class program run by the most respected youth hockey organization in the country,” added Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson. “What has impressed me most about Snider Hockey is the way it intertwines supplemental educational services, including its nationally acclaimed life skills curriculum with the delivery of its daily on-ice programs.”

“The partnership that Ed Snider and his Foundation have forged with the City of Philadelphia should serve as a model for other NHL franchises and cities,” said Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the National Hockey League. “Snider Hockey has successfully found a way to make the great sport of hockey available to everyone. This is a remarkable story.”

The renovated and enclosed rinks are expected to be completed by November 2011. They also will include space for public meetings and other related community functions, as well as classrooms to accommodate tutorial assistance for all program participants and community residents.

Snider Hockey has contracted D’Lauro & Rodgers, Inc. as the General Contractor and named Ron Caplan (CEO of Philadelphia Management Corporation) to serve as owner’s representative. The project is targeted for completion by November 2011.

“We are thrilled by this alliance,” said Scott Tharp, President of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation. “This is a win-win situation. Snider Hockey will gain more access to much needed ice time, and in turn, will relieve the Department of Recreation of much of the overhead needed to staff its hockey and public skating programs. Being recognized as the official youth hockey provider for the City of Philadelphia marks the achievement of one of the Foundation’s initial goals.”

Flyers founder Ed Snider created Snider Hockey in 2005 as a personal commitment to teach children important life lessons. The mission of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation is to build lives and unite communities. It uses the sport of hockey to help educate young people to succeed in the game of life. Snider Hockey services are targeted for inner-city boys and girls who otherwise would not have the opportunity to learn to skate or to play ice hockey. The program has rapidly grown to include over 2,500 participants in just its fourth full season.