⛸️“By transferring the ice rink properties to the Town, WLT’s Urban Initiative’s goals for this property have come to fruition,” said Nicholas Stahl, President of the Westerly Land Trust. “Many thanks to the Royce Family Fund and the Town of Westerly for their partnership in making this possible.”
On Friday, September 27, the Westerly Land Trust in partnership with the Royce Family Fund successfully transferred ownership of the ice rink on Main Street to the Town of Westerly. Offloading land may sound counter to a land trust’s mission, but here is where our Urban Initiative makes us unique. In contrast to the conservation properties, which will be managed by WLT in perpetuity, the goal for urban properties is to improve them and then transfer them to new operators.
❄️The two parcels which today hold the Washington Trust Skating Center, 61 and 85 Main Street, came under WLT’s purview in 2005 and 2006 respectively, thanks to a capital investment from the Royce Family Fund. In the two decades since, significant investments have been made to maximize the operation of the ice rink and to create a community resource enjoyed by thousands of people every year. The Ocean Community YMCA expertly managed and operated the rink for thirteen years, and the Town has signaled their intent to maintain and manage the rink into the future.
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