The Babb Skating Rink Renovation Project

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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

Babbs is located:


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Please consider contributing towards the restoration. Click here for more information.

Things are really shaping up for the grand celebration at Babb’s Rink Park on the 4th of July….

Here’s the scoop, weather permitting of course: We expect well over 200 cars!

10:00 gates open for show cars

11:30 American Legion presents the colors (National Anthem sung and a possible F15 flyover)

Live music and pontoon boat tours start

2:00 Parade of show cars around Congamond

More live music

4:00 Boats start to gather for the annual decorated boat parade. This year’s theme “American Bandstand”/”Happy Days”

More live music

5:00 Start of boat parade & “The Mayock’s” live concert at Babb’s begins

8:00 – 9:00pm Light up the lakes (bon-fires, tiki torches, etc.) with an aerial photograph flyover by Brad Welton Aerial Photography.

ATTENTION… Those of you who want a 4th of July “aerial party picture” of your own party or property during the day, call Brad at 860-741-9809 to make arrangements.

A reminder from the Southwick Fire Dept:

The only thing the law allows in Massachusetts is small appropriate fires which need not be permitted. The size is not to be more than 3 feet across with the flames no more than 2 to 3 feet in height. Nothing combustible over or around the fire and the fire needs to be built from good dry wood leaving little or no smoke. This isn't just a fire code but also from the board of health's clean air act.

More to come as we get closer to the 4th.

Hope you can join us at the car cruise & concert… Then go home & light up the lakes.
 

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 June 04, 2009
Website donated by the Parrot Head Club of Connecticut
Babb's Rink Renovation sponsored by Citizens Restoring Congamond