Former state senator donates $100K to skating rink
NEW CANAAN — The Waveny Park ice skating rink is $100,000 closer to being opened this winter due a donation by Wilton resident and former state Sen. Toni Boucher.
Boucher signed the $100,000 check and handed it to state Rep. Tom O’Dea this week. In return, the New Canaan Ice Rink’s board, which O’Dea sits on, unanimously agreed to name the rink “Boucher Community Ice Rink,” after the former state politician and her late husband, Bud.
The donation is a “small way to show my appreciation and gratitude for the many years of support and lifelong friendships” made in New Canaan, Boucher said. She referred to the rink as the “missing gem” for not only New Canaan, but the surrounding towns as well. “I look forward to skating with my grandkids in New Canaan this winter.”
This hearty donation brings the rink another step toward its goal of opening this winter for its inaugural season inside Waveny Park at the Orchard Field Parking Lot, however the fundraising is not done yet.
“While this brings us closer to our goal, we still need to raise a final $50,000 to get us open this winter,” councilman Rita Bettino said Thursday on behalf of the rink. “And we have to start fundraising for next year’s opening shortly.”
The ice rink project has been a focus for O’Dea, who represents parts of New Canaan and Wilton and has had a longstanding working relationship with Boucher, the predecessor to current state. Sen Will Haskell.
O’Dea thanked Boucher for her donation to the rink.
“Toni is a dear friend and mentor” and “is the reason I am in public service,” O’Dea said. “Bud was an amazing man who quietly did so much for so many, and I think this is a wonderful way to honor his generosity and love of life.”
During her 22 years in public office and serving the district, Boucher has worked alongside numerous first selectmen in New Canaan, including Kevin
Moynihan.
“New Canaan is once again the beneficiary of Toni’s generosity, and I can’t thank her enough for improving our quality of
life by providing community ice skating in a Norman Rockwell-like atmosphere at Waveny for all to enjoy,” Moynihan said.
The rink is considered a pop-up, meaning it will be temporary in nature and be broken down during the warm weather months. The pieces will be stored nearby to be reassembled for the following winter. Gene Goodman, another rink board member, said the process to break down and rebuild the rink “is actually a lot of work” and “involves coordination by many parties before we can officially open.”
Efforts to raise money for the rink have been ongoing since last year, and the now-Boucher Community Ice Rink board is closing in on its goal. If enough money is raised, Department of Public Works head Tiger Mann and Recreation Director Steve Benko will be tasked with erecting the structure in an expedited time frame.
Selectman Kathleen Corbet said she is “most grateful” to Boucher for providing “a remarkable gift for the recreational health and well-being” for all residents in New Canaan and beyond.