The Babb’s Project on Historical Lake Congamond History in the Re -Making

Our Story and we’re stickin’ to it Introductions Early Businesses on Lake Congamond Ice Houses and Babb’s History How and Why CRC is Involved in the Babb’s Rink Restoration Overall Vision of the Rink & Entire Park How You Can Help Restore Babb’s

Introductions Jerry Crane - Pres. CRC, - Chairman Babb’s Project Scott Feron – Project Manager Linda Champagney – Publicity Ginny Graves - Treasurer

Early Business on the Lakes 1843 Saunders Boat Livery: Oldest Family-Operated Business 1874 First Congamond Ice Harvesting 1879 Middle Pond Ice Houses : Congamond, North & Crystal 1894 South Pond Ice House: Berkshire 1898 Babb’s Beach and Picnic Area

Photo courtesy of Around Southwick The Original Saunders Boat Livery (Berkshire Ice House in Background) Photo courtesy of Around Southwick

Railroad Ice House – Middle Pond

The Cold Facts of the Ice Business 400 – 700 Ice Workers Employed 6am- 4pm 7 Days/Week, December to February Men, Horses, Ice Planers & Hand Saws Conveyor Belts Carried Ice from Lake Railroad Spur Enabled Loading of Large Blocks for Delivery to New Haven, Bridgeport, NYC and Beyond

Photos courtesy of Around Southwick Ice House Workers at Walker Ice House Ice Planer and Saw (Circa 1913)

Babb’s History 1890’s- Babb Family Opens Picnic Area, Beach and Boat Rental Dance Hall Constructed Circa 1930 Converted to Roller Rink in Late 1940’s 1977 – Babb Family Donates 7 Acre Property to Town of Suffield

Who is C.R.C.? Citizens Restoring Congamond is Duly Recognized, Volunteer Organization Dedicated to the Preservation and Protection of the Congamond Lakes Loosely Organized Early 1970’s 1977: Incorporated as a Non Profit 501(c)(3)

What CRC Does Lake Clean-up, Culvert Dredging Milfoil Eradication Program $187K Yearly Maintenance $ K Water Monitoring Program Advise Southwick and Suffield on Lake Issues Fund Raise to Support our Mission

How & Why CRC is Involved in the Babb’s Restoration Summer Suffield Approaches CRC for Rink Restoration “Minor” Changes / Upgrades Required October 31, 2003: CRC Signs 20 Year Lease With Town CRC to Renovate Rink and Use Revenues for Lake Maintenance

“ Minor ” Changes Indeed Actual Changes Now Required –Complete Architectural Drawings –Full Compliance with Current Codes ADA, Fire Protection, Tempered Glass, Exits, etc.

Major Accomplishments So Far Over 6,000 Volunteer Hours Invested: –Removal of Interior Seats & Other Materials –Complete Demolition of Rotted Walls & Roof –Concrete Floor Cut Out for New Plumbing –New Framing for Perimeter Area in Process –New 50 Year Roof Installed Over Rink Area 2006 Babb’s Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Progress as of April 2008

Financial Position Phase I - Get Rink Functional – $927,000 Babb’s Project has Raised $69,000 to Date –Spent Approx. $44,000 –Currently Have ~$25,000 State of Ct STEAP $100,000 Grant Administered by Town of Suffield –Babb’s Project Required to Raise / Spend $52,000 in Matching Funds –Spent Approx. $100,000 Phase I & II - Total Cost – Approx. $1.9M

Its’ A Community Project – We Need “M & M” Volunteer NOW or via Babb’s Web Site Show Up Saturday 8am-Noon or Sunday Afternoon Donate Something on our Wish List. Your Company May Match Your Donation Help with Grant Writing and Funding Remember Babb’s in Your Estate YOU Can Help Restore Babb’s - Making History Come Alive Again

Historical Materials Help Fund Rink Restoration Have Your Family or Business Name Immortalized on our Donor Plaque or Brick Walkway ”Reflections On Congamond” DVD Babb’s Rink Wooden Commemorative Babb’s Tee-Shirts

Acknowledgements Photography: Robert Billieux, Sr. Jerry Crane Southwick Historical Society Graphic Design: Linda Champagney LinDesigns