The Babb’s Project on Historical Lake Congamond
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The Babb’s Project on Historical Lake Congamond History in the Re-Making
description
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 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of The Babb’s Project on Historical Lake Congamond
The Babb’s Project on Historical Lake
CongamondHistory in the Re-Making
www.babbsrink.org
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
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
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
Photo courtesy of Around Southwick
The Original Saunders Boat Livery
(Berkshire Ice House in Background)
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Railroad Ice House – Middle Pond
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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
Pho
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Ice House Workersat Walker Ice House
Ice Planer and Saw (Circa 1913)
www.babbsrink.org
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
www.babbsrink.org
www.babbsrink.org
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
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
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
“ Minor ” Changes Indeed
• Actual Changes Now Required– Complete Architectural Drawings– Full Compliance with Current Codes
• ADA, Fire Protection, Tempered Glass, Exits, etc.
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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.orgwww.babbsrink.org
Progress as of April 2008
www.babbsrink.org
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
• 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
YOU Can Help Restore Babb’s - Making History Come Alive Again
www.babbsrink.org
www.babbsrink.org
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
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Acknowledgements
• Photography: Robert Billieux, Sr. Jerry Crane Southwick Historical Society
• Graphic Design: Linda Champagney LinDesigns [email protected]
