An ice sports complex in Palm Beach Gardens might finally be breaking ground.
The Palm Beach North Athletic Foundation (PBNAF) says it has reached its financial milestone with Palm Beach Gardens to move forward with the facility.
Earlier this month, there were concerns the ice rink might be delayed, as PBNAF asked for an extension to secure funding. City council denied giving an extension.
Today's statement on the project moving forward notes an "expanded commitment" from hockey coach Larry Robbins. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky has also supported the project.
“This is the beginning of a new chapter for ice sports in South Florida," said Michael Winter, president of PBNAF.
In January, Palm Beach Gardens approved the $40 million facility, which will replace the skate park on Plant Drive — something residents have voiced concerns about for months.
PBNAF says construction will begin by July 3, and the facility is expected to open in December 2026.
A group of concerned residents released a statement on Wednesday afternoon, calling out this news:
The Malcontent group, a collective of concerned Palm Beach Gardens residents, expresses its profound disappointment and disagreement with the City's decision to issue a Notice to Proceed to the Palm Beach North Athletic Foundation (PBNAF) for the new ice rink at Plant Drive Park.
This action was taken without PBNAF having submitted or the City having reviewed the required 2024 financial audit, as explicitly stated in the City's own press release. This is a deeply troubling choice, especially considering PBNAF's documented history of failing to meet prior financial milestones for this project. Issuing a Notice to Proceed under these circumstances is a reckless disregard for the city's oversight duties and its residents' trust.
Furthermore, this significant step was taken without the full knowledge or consent of the Palm Beach Gardens City Council, undermining the very principles of transparency and good governance.
The Malcontent group believes that the residents of Palm Beach Gardens deserve an open and accountable government. We are committed to ensuring that the community's voices are heard on all future development projects. To that end, we are actively planning to support one and up to three candidates for City Council in the upcoming election. Our goal is to elect representatives who will prioritize transparency, ensure proper due diligence is followed, and give residents a true say in the future of our city.
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