The Babb Skating Rink Renovation Project

 

On Friday October 31, 2003, Citizens Restoring Congamond (CRC) signed a 20-year lease with the Town of Suffield for use of the Babb's Skating Rink. We have a big refurbishing job ahead of us! Babb's Beach - The Babb family operated a summer lake resort on the shores of the Congamond Lake starting in the late 1890s. The current roller skating rink was built circa 1930 as a dance hall. The facility hosted well-known musicians during the Big Band era. The Babb family donated the approximately 7 acre property to the Town in 1977 and Nelson Babb had a life-use of a house and continued to operate the skating rink until 1996. The 11,000 s.f. building was falling into disrepair and on October 31, 2003, the Town entered into a four-year lease with four extension periods with Citizens Restoring Congamond (CRC). CRC agreed to utilize its non-profit status to conduct fundraising and restore the building as a rollerskating rink. The Town recieved a $100,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Progam (STEAP) grant from the State of Connecticut to help with the restoration. Babb's Beach was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 21, 2006. Once the rollerskating rink is restored, CRC plans to sublease the building to a rink operator and any profits realized from the sublease will be used for CRC's mission of the protection and preservation of the Congamond Lakes. Future plans for the town-owned property, pending available funding, include reutilizing the beach area, constructing a bathhouse, and building a pavillion overlooking the lake.
433 Babbs Rd
West Suffield, CT 06093

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Babb's Beach - The Babb family operated a summer lake resort on the shores of the Congamond Lake starting in the late 1890s. The current roller skating rink was built circa 1930 as a dance hall. The facility hosted well-known musicians during the Big Band era. The Babb family donated the approximately 7 acre property to the Town in 1977 and Nelson Babb had a life-use of a house and continued to operate the skating rink until 1996. The 11,000 s.f. building was falling into disrepair and on October 31, 2003, the Town entered into a four-year lease with four extension periods with Citizens Restoring Congamond (CRC). CRC agreed to utilize its non-profit status to conduct fundraising and restore the building as a rollerskating rink. The Town recieved a $100,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Progam (STEAP) grant from the State of Connecticut to help with the restoration. Babb's Beach was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 21, 2006. Once the rollerskating rink is restored, CRC plans to sublease the building to a rink operator and any profits realized from the sublease will be used for CRC's mission of the protection and preservation of the Congamond Lakes. Future plans for the town-owned property, pending available funding, include reutilizing the beach area, constructing a bathhouse, and building a pavillion overlooking the lake.

Button Up Babb’s

Purpose: To close in the Babb’s Roller Skating Rink for the winter to allow work to continue indoors during the cold months.

When: Saturday, November 8th, 8 a.m. until --?

Who: YOU! Skilled or unskilled, we need you. We especially need framers with equipment and tools and carpenters. Everyone else can use direction from them and be their helpers. Bring gloves, hammers, rakes, etc.

Where: Babb’s Roller Skating Rink, 433 Babb’s Road, West Suffield, CT

Benefit: Free Pizza Lunch!
 

Special Thanks to our Fall Festival Crafters
 See photos from the fall festival

Please patronize these crafters, who came to support Babb’s renovation project and displayed and sold these exciting items:

Sea Shell Scenes by Jan Coombs
Sea shells in shadow boxes, mirrors, smaller works on panels. Jcoombs2@cox.net 860-463-2832 or 860-668-4615

Crochet & Quilts Runner by Margaret & Zoila
Lovely crochet mittens, afghans, slippers, bags and hats, as well as crochet and quilted holiday table runners. 860-413-9065
Please go to Contours Express, 518 Salmon Brook Street, Granby.

Spring Animals, Jewelry and More by Michael LeBlanc
Hanging spring animals/silver jewelry sets/musical wooden frogs/gloves and mukluks. Contact 860 604 4919 or mraleblanc@aol.com

Crochet And Hand Painted Wood by Marilyn Anderson
Hand painted and crocheted items, towels, etc. Paint on wood items such as sleds, boxes, etc. Experience these at: Blair Manor, Nov. 8, Enfield; Enfield High School Nov. 15; Vernon Historical Society Nov. 29. hmanderson@snet.net 860-749-6686

American Girl Bitty Baby Items by Charlotte Stenlake 18" & 15" American girl & Bitty Baby doll clothes. T-shirts for people with iron on bling. Experience these at: Blair Manor, Nov. 8, Enfield; Enfield High School Nov. 15; Vernon Historical Society Nov. 29 charlottestenlake@hotmail.com OR 860 749 6809

Affordable Hand Crafted Beaded Jewelry by Allison Potter
Lovely glass,crystal, semi precious stones as well as beaded and charm earrings, bookmarks, hairclips. 860-683-0344 or alicat1956@aol.com

Tupperware with Donna McEwan and Deborah Schultz.
Unique and useful Tupperware for food storage, dishes and educational toys, cookware, cutlery, new microwave products, spices and dessert blends too! DMJMF@veriszon.net or donnamcewan@mytupperware.com 413-568-4452 or 413-562-1495. Call to host a party. Appearing at Tucker's Restaurant, 625 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077 on Saturday, 11/15 11:00am - 3:00pm.
The winner of the raffle for the stack of Tupperware bowls @ Babb’s is Jay B. of East Hartford, CT!

Knitted & Crochet Wearables by Donna Pike
Lovely knitted & crochet items, hats, mitten, scarves, sweaters, fancy shawls. 413-569-0827 or stitches@comcast.net

Stampin’ Up and Paper Crafts by Wendy Van de Bogart
Call 860-693-9010 or Email: rcv1167@comcast.net

Also, Winners:
Horse shoe contest: A tie, with both Ed Gallant and Patrick McMahon winning a set each of competition Ted Allen horseshoes. Each set is worth $120 – our thanks to Bourdon Forge, Inc.
  • View the Babbs Presentation given Sep. 10, 2008 at the Suffield Parks and Recreation commission meeting.
 

Babb’s Update:

Volunteer Work Party’s happens every weekend unless posted.
Skilled and unskilled volunteers very welcome.

  • Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm or later
  • Sundays 12:00 noon – 4:00pm +/-

Please feel free to stop by!

Please bring hand tools, power tools, rakes, shovels, weed whackers, chainsaws, if you have them.
Safety gloves, safety glasses are provided. Safety First!

Open House while work continues. See our volunteers in action!

Follow our progress  Sign our Guestbook 

Volunteer Contact: Scott Feron <gotabme@cox.net>
 

Retro skating rink being rebuilt
Source: Westfield Evening News, April 11, 2008

Read the complete article here
 
What is the plan?
  • Restore building to roller skating rink and multifunction usage.
  • Sublease the building to a rink operator.
  • Any profits realized from the sublease will be utilized for CRC’s mission of the protection and preservation of the Congamond Lakes.

How can you help?

  • Volunteer for work days.
  • Donate an item on our wish list.
  • Contribute funds towards the restoration.
  • Tell your friends and neighbors about the project.
 

Babb's Roller Rink Collectible by Hometowne Collectibles

Click the picture for a larger picture you can print. 
 Buy Now!!

The Babb's Rink Collectible is a beautifully detailed reproduction of the historic West Suffield, Connecticut roller skating rink.  Cut from ¾" wood, the replica measures approximately 9-½" long and 2-¼" high and contains a history of the rink printed on the back.  The Babb's Beach property, including the roller skating rink, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 12, 2006.
 

 

 

 

          

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Page last updated on July 14, 2008
This Website is hosted and donated by the Parrot Head Club of Connecticut
Babb's Rink Renovation sponsored by Citizens Restoring Congamond