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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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Remember when... History...
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Babb family operated summer
lake resort on the shores of Congamond Lake since the late 1890s
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Current facility built circa
1930 as a dance hall
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Hosted well-known musicians
during the Big Band era
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Later became roller skating
rink
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Babb family donates 7-acre
property to the Town in 1977
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CRC agrees to 20 year lease
with the Town on October 31, 2003
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Town awarded $100,000 State
grant for restoration, as well as several smaller grants
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Babb’s Beach listed on
National Register of Historic Places on July 21, 2006
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Excerpt taken from Roller Skating Rinks
Northeastern Region List FAQ
Copyright 1994-2000 by George Robbins
West Suffield, CT 06093
Babbs Roller Skating Rink
Babbs Road
West Suffield is located in northern Connecticut, between Springfield,
Massachusetts and Granby/Simsbury Connecticut. The Babbs rink is on the
shore of Congamond lakes. From I-91, get off at exit 40 - Rt 20 and head
west towards the airport. Continue on Rt 20 to Rt 187, turn right to
head north on Rt 187 for about four miles, then turn left onto Rt 168
and follow Rt 168 for about four more miles to Babbs Road. Turn right
onto Babbs Road, The rink could be here, or a mile further north in the
Babbs Beach area. In general, look for signs pointing at the
lakes/recreation area, it's not directly visible from the road.
Wood Floor - Pretty Smooth
Snack Bar - Games - No Smoking
In-line Skates permitted and available for rent
[lainer@map.com (Ellen Lainer) ]
On June 30th [1996], Babbs will be closing its doors. Apparently, the
old building is in need of major electrical updating (to the tune of
$30,000). I was hoping that the town would take it over, or that some
wealthy soul would buy and renovate the place, but it doesn't seem to be
happening. I just starting going to Babbs this year, as I am a new
resident to the area. I am saddened to see it close.
[ web gleanings ]
Babbs Beach was a summer lake resort operated by the Babbs Family. As
recreation trends changes, the resort became less active and Nelson Babb
Jr. eventually donated the property to the town, on the provision that
he could retain his residence and lease the rink back for a nominal sum.
The town operated a recreation program at the beach until recent budget
cutbacks. Babbs, 77, was content to operate the roller rink and donated
the proceeds to various self-help charities.
The rink did close in in June 1996, and there was an auction to sell off
all the skating related equipment in September. A newspaper article
mentioned that some people were interested in operating the facility as
a rink, but made it sound more like wishful thinking than serious. It
also implied that the town would rather have a parking lot or soccer
field at the lake than a commercial operation.
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