During the March 7, 2022 Town Council workshop the council continued to discuss the Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town and the Cape Community Arena Group (CCAG). Previous discussions and updates occurred on January 10, February 7, and February 14.  On February 14 the council approved granting CCAG permission to get into the Planning Board queue [Article].  Additionally, the group received permission to meet with the Planning Board on an informal  basis to better understand the requirements  the CCAG must meet in order to move forward with a formal site review process for their proposed community arena at Gull Crest.  

In addition to reviewing the most recent edits to the Draft MOU, the CCAG announced that they were recently given the opportunity to rent a temporary ice rink package for the 2022-2023 season by co-owners, Boston Red Sox' Frozen Fenway and Ben Breton of Ice Ops.  The rink would only be available for one season and would be returned to the owners for their future use.  Scott Liston, a board member of the CCAG, said that it offered both the group and the town a "unique opportunity" to gain experience operating and managing an ice rink, and provide more time for thorough planning of a permanent rink.  In an email from Jay Brandeis, Brandeis writes that they viewed the temporary rink as a "win/win for all involved with the Cape Community Arena."

Liston stated that the hope would be for the rented rink to be installed at Gull Crest in the same location that the proposed future arena would be located, in time for the 2022-2023 skating season.  The installation and operations of the temporary rink would be concurrent with ongoing plans for a permanent arena.  In response to a request from CCAG Chair Julie Fort seeking guidance on how to proceed with both projects, councilor Penny Jordan cautioned the group to, "Not confuse the Planning Board; stay on one track with one project."

The revised Draft MOU which would include council suggestions from the March 7 workshop, will likely be on the Town Council's March 14 meeting agenda for a vote.