Ice Rink

waynesboro@herald-mail.com Six years ago, the Doris I. Billow Ice Arena west of Waynesboro, Pa., opened at a cost of $2.8 million, including a $500,000 bequest and $250,000 in state tax money. On Wednesday, the building at 4880 Buchanan Trail East, an empty shell since May 2000, was sold at public auction for $400,000. The two Chambersburg, Pa., businessmen who bought it - Joseph Tice, a certified public accountant, and Chris Lombardozzi, owner of a stair-making and millworking shop - said they have no immediate plans for the property.

By JULIE E. GREENE Staff Writer Four board members of the new $2.3 million Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex resigned Monday, following an effort last week to dismiss the ice rink's embattled executive director, Walter Dill. The city issued $1.2 million in bonds to help build the rink at the Hagerstown Fairgrounds. The rink opened Aug. 15. "We had a disagreement last Friday night - not a disagreement, we had a split about whether to retain Walter as the CEO," said Matt McIntosh, who resigned as board chairman on Monday.

By JULIE E. GREENE / Staff Writer photo: JOE CROCETTA / staff photographer City officials said they might consider selling the Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex if the skating rink's financial picture does not improve over the winter. A group of investors has offered to buy the financially troubled rink. The group includes Walter Dill, a former executive director at the rink who spearheaded its construction and now is suing the nonprofit Washington County Sports Foundation that operates it. The mayor and City Council decided behind closed doors on Tuesday not to accept a $1.8 million offer for the $2.3 million rink at the Hagerstown Fairgrounds.

By RICHARD F. BELISLE Staff Writer WAYNESBORO, Pa. - John K. Bowers was so wobbly at first that two skate guards had to shepherd him around the Doris I. Billow Ice Arena Friday afternoon. Bowers' balance and his confidence returned by the third lap around the Olympic-sized rink. He only needed one guard and he even managed a lilting high step or two. It was the first day of business for the new rink on Pa. 16 in Zullinger, Pa. Bowers, 81, from Greencastle, Pa., said it was the first time he's been on skates in 11 years, more years than many of the kids who were scooting around him and his guards.

By LISA GRAYBEAL Staff Writer, Waynesboro ZULLINGER, Pa. - Doris Billow's dream of an ice rink is $100,000 closer to reality. Since the Cumberland Valley on Ice kicked off its "The Dream Takes Shape" capital campaign three weeks ago, individuals and small businesses mostly from Waynesboro have contributed to a fifth of the goal to raise $500,000 by April, said Carol Henicle, president of the board of directors and executive director of...

In a move that was criticized by several people, the Hagerstown City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve spending an additional $217,908 on the city's ice rink. The city had already committed $229,200 to cover debt payments for the Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex. The total city commitment of $447,108 is expected to be enough to sustain the ice rink through August 2000. The money will be go toward utility bills, debt payments and operating costs at the rink, which is owned by the city and operated by the nonprofit Washington County Sports Foundation.

pepperb@herald-mail.com The general manager of the Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex has been charged with two counts of second-degree assault in connection with allegations he inappropriately touched a 17-year-old female ice rink snack bar employee on two occasions. Carl Fair Langford, 41, of 10831 Clinton Ave. in Hagerstown, was charged with the misdemeanor counts in connection with alleged incidents on Feb. 23 and between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 in 2003. Langford would not comment on the charges when reached by telephone at the Security Road ice rink Tuesday.

By FRANCA LEWIS Staff Writer Worrisome notions about a $2.1 million ice rink planned for Hagerstown prompted a delay Tuesday in an agreement that was to be struck between the mayor and City Council and the Washington County Sports Foundation. Mayor Steven T. Sager and City Council postponed a decision for three days, until Friday. Although they voiced support for the project, some council members expressed concern that the sports foundation failed to produce proper documentation to confirm it has raised $550,000 in private funds.

Police have made 17 trips to ice rink Police have made17 trips to complex- 11 for alarm Hagerstown City Police have been called to Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex 17 times since it opened, but 11 of those were for the rink's burglar alarm, said Chief Dale Jones. The others: Someone reported a man trying to get children in his car on Dec. 4. The next day, police went to the rink again to follow up. A cellular phone was stolen on Dec. 12. A purse was taken on Dec. 14. A neighbor complained of loud music inside the rink on Jan. 3. Two 911 hang-up calls were placed from the rink on Jan. 4. Jones said he isn't aware of any problems about patrons at the rink.

By DAN KULIN / Staff Writer photo: RICHARD T. MEAGHER / staff photographer There's a new boss at Hagerstown's ice rink. Jamie Shyda has taken over day-to-day operations at the Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex on Security Road in Hagerstown. Shyda, 44, of Hagerstown, worked for the Washington County Recreation and Parks Department from 1989 through 1993. When she left the department she was the recreation superintendent and in charge of supervising the staff of the recreation division.