July 7, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer
The Historical Commission will present a plan to the Recreation Commission tonight (July 7) that involves the saving and restoration of a portion of the deteriorating historic East Street skate house as a shed.
The skate house and adjacent pond had long been a popular gathering place to skate and play ice hockey by generations of Hingham families before the building was closed to the public some time ago. This was due to a structural engineer hired by the Recreation Commission deeming it unsafe for public use.
Historical Commission members Stephen Dempsey and Robert Stansell and local contractor John O'Keefe have been working with Building Commissioner Michael Clancy to retain a portion of the building, with support footings underneath the structure.
"If the building were to come down, we would never be able to get another building like that on the water," Dempsey said during last night's teleconference Historical Commission meeting. "While [a shed] might not be what everyone was hoping for, such a plan would leave that door open in the future [for a potential larger project," pending Recreation Commission approval, the necessary town approvals, funding, and other considerations.
A shed, as currently proposed, could be used for storage, but would not be up to town building code standards -- including handicapped-accessibility -- for active enjoyment by skaters as a warming hut, which was its previous use.
The Recreation Commission owns the skate house and also has control over the pond, so the proposal could not move forward without the Commission's approval.
Request to demolish skate house
As background, the Recreation Commission continues to seek a demolition permit from the Historical Commission, which could invoke the town's six-month demolition delay by-law if it deems doing so appropriate. This grants the town an opportunity to delay the process because it's an historic building, and to work with the Recreation Commission to come up with potential alternatives -- the stage the process is in now.
"If the Recreation Commission is unwilling to follow [the current shed proposal], then the Historical Commission could take a vote at its next meeting to invoke the demolition delay by-law," said Chairman Kevin Burke. If the Historical Commission were to take such a step, the six-month delay would begin on the date any such decision was made.
Funds available
Greenbush Trust Fund money is available to cover the estimated $28,300 cost of restoring the building's frame, roof, and siding and could also be available for future maintenance as needed.
Because the Recreation Commission owns the building, it would be its responsibility to apply for such funding if it chose to do so. The process is administered by the Historical Commission.
"If this [shed project] can happen, the [remaining part of the] building wouldn't likely need any more renovations -- except maybe a paint job -- for nearly 30 years," Dempsey said. "It would be a 30-year roof, and the building would be structurally sound. This is a hopeful and positive plan, and I think it can be done."
This fund -- established earlier as part of a memorandum of understanding between the Town of Hingham, the Executive Office of Transportation and Construction, and the MBTA concerning the Greenbush commuter rail project -- provides funding that supports rehabilitation or restoration projects for historical resources, landscapes, or other physical improvements to public spaces.
"I think it would be very shortsighted for the Recreation Commission to [not approve the plan]," Dempsey said. "We've done all the legwork and know it's affordable."
Burke commended Dempsey, Stansell, and O'Keefe for doing a "fantastic job taking what was a potential $200,000 to $300,000 [extensive repair/restoration] job if the entire building had been restored] and turning it into preserving a portion of it as a shed. I don't see any reason not to do this plan."
Rec Commission meeting details
The Recreation Commission meeting tonight (July 7) starts at 6:30 p.m., during which the Historical Commission's proposal will be discussed. At least some Historical Commission members are expected to attend. For dial-in information, visit the town website calendar at hingham-ma.gov.
If the Recreation Commission goes along with the proposal, two more bids for the project would be required, along with a demolition and repair permit and ultimately, the issuance of a building permit.
If everything falls into place, the work could potentially be completed "in less than a month" -- including the demolition of the rest of the existing skate house, according to Stansell.
The roof rafters would be saved, along with the benches that line the inside perimeter of the building -- for possible use as part of an outdoor picnic area at the current site. The stove and chimney aren't included in the shed footprint, but could possibly be saved and repurposed.