HANCOCK HOLIDAY ICE RINK

Team fundraiser

Richard Lowe and Mike Argiros are organizing this fundraiser to benefit Hancock Partners, Inc..

Tax deductible

Hancock Partners is a community-focused 501c3 charitable corporation that has helped to bring in more than $7m worth of economic development to this vibrant community over the last 20 years!

Although we bring lots of grant monies into the community we rely on grants and donations to function and pay our staffers, and now we need your help to cover the costs of the new Hancock Holiday Ice Rink.

Hancock Partners received a very generous grant from the Delaware County Office of Economic Development office for Tourism & Promotion. In fact, they awarded us nearly $90k in grants in 2022-23. But we have to hit all our matching goals to ensure more support for other programs next year.

HANCOCK ICE RINK HISTORY:

According to the Hancock Historical Society’s 1998 Centennial Book, a place called “The Rink” was located in the general vicinity of the Malcolm Henderson home. E.W. Griffis built a skating rink on the lot adjoining Dr.Pettingill’s barn, which currently sits behind NBT Bank, but it once sat where the bank is located now It was later turned 180 degrees and placed behind the NBT.

In September 1887, “a grand hop at The Rink to benefit the Park” was held – “good music and a right good time.” Admission was only 10 cents and tickets for hop were just 50 cents. In 1889 and 1890 the “Hancock Dramatists” held their plays at the “Rink Opera House.” In 1890 the Hancock Union and Academy Graduation were held at Hancock Rink. It appears the activity being held somewhat determined what the place was called. The mystery of “The Rink” is that none of the “old-timers” have a recollection of seeing or hearing of it and no further information has been found.

PRESENT TIME ICE RINK:

Hancock Partners has purchased the new “Hancock Holiday Rink” in 2022 and are opening it for the Christmas Season on December 16th, 2023! The rink is located at the Hancock Town Square at 20 E Main Street, almost exactly where it was built 130 years ago. When planning this new ice rink grant program, the committee did not know any of this amazing history, and only recently learned about its original size and location.

The modern, durable, scalable, and reusable EZ-RINK design is 25′ x 50′ rink, which is a near match to the original size. As we look towards our future we must first celebrate and honor our past. In recent years it has become apparent that now more than ever our families and friends need to come together to celebrate each other and our heritage.

Hancock NY as a town, and as a village, is historically documented through Delaware County and The National Archives as having been named to honor John Hancock following his death in 1793. America’s famed founding father, John Hancock, was known as the Prince of Merchants, and indeed the Hancock House Hotel itself was named after his great family estate in Boston.

So to celebrate our shared history we are looking to partner with Hallmark Movies Televisions Channel to sponsor the rink and possibly film during the 2022 holidays and winter months of 2023. This incredible opportunity would help promote the town with numerous press publications and regional features. The rink itself is cost-effective, reusable and portable. Thankfully the portable rink can be set up within a few hours with just 2-3 people, however, there are maintenance costs such as: resurfacing, security, staffing/training, skate purchase costs, marketing, decor and signage to be considered. We need help to fund the initial costs associated with hosting the ice rink and fitting out the Town Square to accommodate and allow for it most easily and to ensure its annual success for the next decade.

The rink officially opens on December 16th, 2023. The rink will run for 6 weeks with an option to extend. Unless the weather is not permitting or the ice isn't frozen. All users will skat at their own risk.

RINK RULES: