A long-sought goal for Norwood’s skating community moved closer to reality in July 1972 as plans for a privately-owned indoor ice rink were confirmed for the Access Road site near the Norwood Airport.
Following the rejection of a previous municipal bid to have a rink built under the state Department of Natural Resources, the town’s skating committee found new hope in a proposal from Milton developer Robert K. Bold. The appeals board had granted Bold a special permit in February to construct a $650,000 facility in a designated manufacturing zone across from the airport.
The proposed steel structure, measuring 240 feet by 100 feet, was designed to house a comprehensive suite of ice sports facilities, including four locker rooms, a pro shop, and skate sharpening services. With spectator seating for 350 people, the rink was slated to operate seven days a week, ten months out of the year, with hours extending from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. to accommodate high demand. Mr. Bold emphasized that while the facility would primarily serve youth hockey teams and offer public skating time, it was not designed to accommodate high school games, focusing instead on practice time and public figure skating.
Despite initial delays in securing state Department of Public Health approval and navigating financial hurdles—challenges noted by former associate Thomas Egan—Mr. Bold remained confident in the project’s viability. He announced plans to apply for a building permit the following month, with construction expected to begin shortly thereafter. Looking ahead, Mr. Bold predicted that the community would be skating on the new ice by November 1972, providing a significant boost for local youth hockey and ice skating enthusiasts who had been eager for a dedicated facility within the town limits.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Norwood, Walpole Clash Tomorrow-December 22, 1965
Norwood, Walpole Clash Tomorrow By FRANK WALLOn last March 13th the Norwood and Walpole hocky teams clashed for the most coveted award in school boy hockey as they tangled for the state hockey championship before 13,000 fans at the Boston Garden. Tomorrow night the two teams clash again in the new surroundings for the Bay…
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Norwood Bombs Natick, 8-0; Hebner Hat Trick-December 22, 1965
Norwood Bombs Natick, 8-0; Hebner Hat Trick Clifford Defense Star In NHS Second Straight Win By FRANK WALL The Norwood High hockey squad put on a great team effort Saturday as they rolled to an easy win over Natick, 8 – 0, at the Four Seasons Rink in Walpole. Before a packed house of 4000…
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Norwood Debate—Which Is Hebner’s Top Sport?-May 12, 1965
Is Norwood High’s Richy Hebner a better baseball or hockey player? Sixteen‑Year‑Old Richie Hebner Dominates Diamond and Ice In a town that knows its sports and takes pride in its athletes, there is no debate about the brightest young star currently wearing Norwood’s colors. Everyone in Norwood agrees that Hebner, a 16‑year‑old junior, excels in…
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Maus Goal Puts Mustangs Over Newton In OT-March 12, 1965
In the co-feature, Norwood, league runnerup to Walpole, defeted Newton, 2-1, on a goal by Blaine Maus in sudden death overtime. The Norwood-Newton affair was a cliffhanger all the way although the Bay State entry enjoyed a shooting advantage. Richie Hebner, the 190-pound, 6-foot right wing, scored the game’s first goal at 3:58 of the…
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Norwood Six Bombs R. I. Champions, 6-2-This Day in Norwood History-February 17, 1965
The Cranston East Hockey Team, the top outfit m Rhode Island, came to Walpole last Saturday afternoon with what was supposed to be the most powerful line in New England, but over 2,000 fans saw the Norwood wave of Richy Hebner, Blaine Maus, and Paul Angelo completely dominate the play, scoring all the goals as…
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Norwood Shuts Out Milton 2-0 For 7th In a Row-This Day in Norwood History-February 3, 1965
The Norwood High School hockey team, minus the services of top scorer Capt. Blaine Maus and Richy Hebner, blanked Milton, 2-0, Saturday afternoon at the Loring rink in Framingham before a large crowd that turned out to witness the games which had Norwood and Walpole on the same card. Scoring the goals for the Whrelcmion…
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St Catherine’s Saints Capture Division Hockey Crown-February 3, 1965
St. Catherine’s CYO hockey team pulled the division title out of the hat Saturday at EC’s McHugh Forum. With the goalie out of the net, Art Conley tipped in a long shot by Jim Dooley to give Norwood a 2-2 tie with St. Mary’s of Hull, which clinched for St. Catherine’s the Southern Division crown.…
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Norwood Shuts out Milton-February 3, 1965
Norwood Sextet Shuts Out Milton, 2-0, For 7th In Row By FRANK WALL The Norwood High School hockey team, minus the services of top scorers Capt. Blaine Maus and Richy Hebner, blanked Milton, 2-0, Saturday afternoon at the Loring rink in Framingham before a large crowd that turned out to witness the games which had…
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17 Penalties Called As Norwood Shuts Out Needham In Rough Contest-This Day in Norwood History-January 27, 1965
Before a capacity crowd of fans who brayed heavy snows to make the trip to the Lorig rink at Framingham, Norwood High’s hockey sextet racked up their sixth straight victory Saturday by shutting out Needham, 3-0, in a rough contest that got out of hand in the final stages. Two players from each side drew…
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Undefeated Freshman Hockey Team Shuts Out Walpole-This Day in Norwood History-January 27, 1965
The undefeated Norwood High School Freshman Hockey Team blanked the Walpole Frosh, 3-0, at the Four Seasons rink in Walpole last Thursday. It was the fourth straight win for the Gormleymen who now have scored 23 goals to their opponents’ 0. For Norwood, Tommy Shea paced the attack as he scored the first two Norwood…
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