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433
Babbs Rd
West Suffield, CT 06093
Directions to Babb's
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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. |
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Merry Christmas to All!
And many thanks to everyone
who has helped us progress in restoring Babb's.
PLEASE NOTE: There will be NO
work party this weekend due to weather. There WILL be a work
party weekend on December 27 and 28.
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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> |
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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.
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Babb's Roller Rink
Collectible by Hometowne Collectibles
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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