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Owner of controversial backyard ice rink reaches a deal with Montgomery officials | Owner of controversial backyard ice rink reaches a deal with Montgomery officials |
(35 minutes later) | |
The battle over a backyard hockey rink is over. | The battle over a backyard hockey rink is over. |
Montgomery County officials have agreed to build a synthetic hockey rink in Poolesville, Md., similar to the controversial one Marc Kohn built in his yard to honor his late stepdaughter, a lifelong hockey fan. | Montgomery County officials have agreed to build a synthetic hockey rink in Poolesville, Md., similar to the controversial one Marc Kohn built in his yard to honor his late stepdaughter, a lifelong hockey fan. |
“It’s really incredible,” Kohn said. “I actually can’t believe it. I’ve had so many people tell me that they’ve never seen the government work so fast.” | “It’s really incredible,” Kohn said. “I actually can’t believe it. I’ve had so many people tell me that they’ve never seen the government work so fast.” |
Gabriel Albornoz, director of the county’s Recreation Department, said the rink will cost between $70,000 and $140,000 to build. The county will use existing funds and won’t need County Council approval. | |
“Marc clearly tapped into a real need and interest for some place to skate in Poolesville,” Albornoz said. “Hockey and ice skating in general is growing and on the rise.” | “Marc clearly tapped into a real need and interest for some place to skate in Poolesville,” Albornoz said. “Hockey and ice skating in general is growing and on the rise.” |
Kohn opened Mel’s Rink in mid-December, naming it after his stepdaughter Melanie Osborne, who died of a respiratory disease. The rink, set atop rolling fields of grass in rural Poolesville, was an instant hit with children and their parents. | |
[His ice rink honors a stepdaughter’s memory. Now inspectors may close it.] | [His ice rink honors a stepdaughter’s memory. Now inspectors may close it.] |
Dozens of people came out to skate on the synthetic ice every day, dropping donations into an imitation Stanley Cup. For Kohn, 51, the 2,100-square-foot rink reminded him of skating on backyard ponds while growing up near Boston. He hoped to give skating lessons to help recoup the building costs, which totaled about $40,000. | Dozens of people came out to skate on the synthetic ice every day, dropping donations into an imitation Stanley Cup. For Kohn, 51, the 2,100-square-foot rink reminded him of skating on backyard ponds while growing up near Boston. He hoped to give skating lessons to help recoup the building costs, which totaled about $40,000. |
But county officials quickly put Kohn in the penalty box. | But county officials quickly put Kohn in the penalty box. |
Kohn’s rented house is in the agricultural reserve, which allows homes but isn’t zoned for public uses. Kohn was issued a violation, prompting news stories that spread the dispute around the country on social media. Some called the county a “nanny state.” Others said rules are rules — even for do-gooders. | Kohn’s rented house is in the agricultural reserve, which allows homes but isn’t zoned for public uses. Kohn was issued a violation, prompting news stories that spread the dispute around the country on social media. Some called the county a “nanny state.” Others said rules are rules — even for do-gooders. |
County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) urged his staff to find a solution. Officials offered to help move the rink, but Kohn rejected overtures, saying, “Don’t tell me I need to move my rink in order to appease the county.” He started a GoFundMe page to fight the county, with a pair of lawyers working pro bono to help. | |
But a few days later, Kohn sent Leggett a letter saying he was willing to work on a solution. He said it was not his original intention to make the rink a public destination, though he had set up a Facebook page advertising it that way. | |
[Owner of backyard ice rink now willing to work with Montgomery County] | [Owner of backyard ice rink now willing to work with Montgomery County] |
After several meetings with county and town officials, a deal emerged giving everyone what they wanted. Poolesville residents get a rink of their own — possibly named after Mel. Kohn can keep his rink for personal use, similar to a backyard pool. And Leggett gets his solution. | |
The county is now working with Poolesville officials to find a location, which is tricky because so much of the area is in the agricultural reserve. If a spot can’t be found in the town, Albornoz said the rink will be built somewhere nearby. | The county is now working with Poolesville officials to find a location, which is tricky because so much of the area is in the agricultural reserve. If a spot can’t be found in the town, Albornoz said the rink will be built somewhere nearby. |
Albornoz said Leggett supports the idea of naming the new rink after Kohn’s daughter, but it will be discussed with town officials and residents. | |
Kohn raised $5,600 in his GoFundMe campaign, which he said he spent on equipment for Mel’s Rink, including a commercial pressure washer, hockey sticks and a skate sharpener, all of which he said could be used at the new rink. | |
A former Discovery Communications production editor, Kohn has been using Mel’s Rink to test hockey training equipment that he is developing and hopes to license it to sporting goods companies. | |
He said he is also training for a Senior Olympics hockey tournament. | |
“I’ve been skating out there every day,” he said. |