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The Babb’s Project on Historical Lake Congamond

The Babb’s Project on Historical Lake Congamond. History in the Re -Making. Our Story and we’re stickin’ to it. Introductions Early Businesses on Lake Congamond Ice Houses and Babb’s History How and Why CRC is Involved in the Babb’s Rink Restoration

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The Babb’s Project on Historical Lake Congamond

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  1. The Babb’s Project on Historical Lake Congamond History in the Re-Making

  2. Our Story and we’re stickin’ to it • Introductions • Early Businesses on Lake Congamond • Ice Houses and Babb’s History • How and Why CRC is Involved in the Babb’s Rink Restoration • Overall Vision of the Rink & Entire Park • How You Can Help Restore Babb’s www.babbsrink.org

  3. Introductions • Jerry Crane - Pres. CRC, - Chairman Babb’s Project • Scott Feron – Project Manager • Linda Champagney – Publicity • Ginny Graves - Treasurer www.babbsrink.org www.babbsrink.org

  4. Early Business on the Lakes • 1843 Saunders Boat Livery: Oldest Family-Operated Business • 1874 First Congamond Ice Harvesting • 1879 Middle Pond Ice Houses : Congamond, North & Crystal • 1894 South Pond Ice House: Berkshire • 1898 Babb’s Beach and Picnic Area www.babbsrink.org

  5. Photo courtesy of Around Southwick The Original Saunders Boat Livery (Berkshire Ice House in Background) Photo courtesy of Around Southwick www.babbsrink.org

  6. Railroad Ice House – Middle Pond www.babbsrink.org

  7. The Cold Facts of the Ice Business • 400 – 700 Ice Workers Employed 6am- 4pm 7 Days/Week, December to February • Men, Horses, Ice Planers & Hand Saws • Conveyor Belts Carried Ice from Lake • Railroad Spur Enabled Loading of Large Blocks for Delivery to New Haven, Bridgeport, NYC and Beyond www.babbsrink.org

  8. Ice House Workers at Walker Ice House Photos courtesy of Around Southwick Ice Planer and Saw (Circa 1913) www.babbsrink.org

  9. Babb’s History • 1890’s- Babb Family Opens Picnic Area, Beach and Boat Rental • Dance Hall Constructed Circa 1930 • Converted to Roller Rink in Late 1940’s • 1977 – Babb Family Donates 7 Acre Property to Town of Suffield www.babbsrink.org www.babbsrink.org

  10. The Big Band Era www.babbsrink.org

  11. GRACEFUL SKATING CONTEST www.babbsrink.org

  12. Who is C.R.C.? • Citizens Restoring Congamond is Duly Recognized, Volunteer Organization Dedicated to the Preservation and Protection of the Congamond Lakes • Loosely Organized Early 1970’s • 1977: Incorporated as a Non Profit 501(c)(3) www.babbsrink.org www.babbsrink.org

  13. What CRC Does • Lake Clean-up, Culvert Dredging • Milfoil Eradication Program $187K • Yearly Maintenance $30 - 35K • Water Monitoring Program • Advise Southwick and Suffield on Lake Issues • Fund Raise to Support our Mission www.babbsrink.org www.babbsrink.org

  14. How & Why CRC is Involved in the Babb’s Restoration • Summer 2003 - Suffield Approaches CRC for Rink Restoration • “Minor” Changes / Upgrades Required • October 31, 2003: CRC Signs 20 Year Lease With Town • CRC to Renovate Rink and Use Revenues for Lake Maintenance www.babbsrink.org www.babbsrink.org

  15. “ Minor ” Changes Indeed • Actual Changes Now Required • Complete Architectural Drawings • Full Compliance with Current Codes • ADA, Fire Protection, Tempered Glass, Exits, etc. www.babbsrink.org

  16. Major Accomplishments So Far • Over 6,000 Volunteer Hours Invested: • Removal of Interior Seats & Other Materials • Complete Demolition of Rotted Walls & Roof • Concrete Floor Cut Out for New Plumbing • New Framing for Perimeter Area in Process • New 50 Year Roof Installed Over Rink Area • 2006 Babb’s Listed on the National Register of Historic Places www.babbsrink.org www.babbsrink.org

  17. Progress as of April 2008 www.babbsrink.org www.babbsrink.org

  18. Financial Position Phase I - Get Rink Functional – $927,000 Babb’s Project has Raised $69,000 to Date • Spent Approx. $44,000 • Currently Have ~$25,000 State of Ct STEAP $100,000 Grant Administered by Town of Suffield • Babb’s Project Required to Raise / Spend $52,000 in Matching Funds • Spent Approx. $100,000 Phase I & II - Total Cost – Approx. $1.9M www.babbsrink.org

  19. YOU Can Help Restore Babb’s - Making History Come Alive Again • Its’ A Community Project – We Need “M&M” • Volunteer NOW or via Babb’s Web Site www.BabbsRink.org • Show Up Saturday 8am-Noon or Sunday Afternoon • Donate Something on our Wish List. • Your Company May Match Your Donation • Help with Grant Writing and Funding • Remember Babb’s in Your Estate www.babbsrink.org www.babbsrink.org

  20. Historical Materials Help Fund Rink Restoration • Have Your Family or Business Name Immortalized on our Donor Plaque or Brick Walkway • ”Reflections On Congamond” DVD • Babb’s Rink Wooden Commemorative • Babb’s Tee-Shirts www.babbsrink.org

  21. Acknowledgements • Photography: Robert Billieux, Sr. Jerry Crane Southwick Historical Society • Graphic Design:Linda Champagney LinDesigns lchampagney@excite.com www.babbsrink.org

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