What seemed a few months ago like a destined-to-be-completed ice rink project to be retrofitted into the existing NYA Sports & Fitness building within Fairfield Hills is no longer in the cards.

“The rink is not going to happen. The economics just didn’t work for the project, so the project’s off,” said Maggie Conway, president of the Board of Directors for NYA, adding that there are plans for additional features — specifically added basketball and tennis courts as well as lines and nets for more pickleball courts — for the building’s wing in which the rink had been proposed.

In an April 24 press release from NYA Sports & Fitness, details were announced about the fallout of the project:

“As previously reported on December 7, 2018, NYA Sports & Fitness Center (NYA) and Champion Sports have been collaborating for many months in order to construct an ice rink housed in one of the NYA sports wings. Due to NYA’s nonprofit status, the scope of the project, and the many variable costs involved in bringing this project to fruition, regrettably, it has been determined that Champion Sports will no longer be pursuing this construction effort.”

The announcement continues: “The NYA Board of Directors and staff share the disappointment of many; however, we are committed to expanding our current offerings. We are very excited to share that we have already begun plans on new changes that will benefit all in our community. Some of these changes include more pickleball, basketball, and tennis courts; an additional baseball/softball batting cage; enhancements to our fitness center; the expansion of our Sports Performance Training program; and much more. NYA would like to thank Bob Crawford of Champion Sports and Dan Rosenthal, Newtown Selectman, for their support and collaboration during the last several months.”

Ms Conway said, “We’re not-for-profit, they’re for profit — so there are a lot of moving parts with it. The numbers just weren’t working.”

The changes will create more opportunities for people in town, according to Ms Conway.

“We have a pretty big pickleball following already,” said Ms Conway, noting that added courts for tennis and basketball — which will go along the side of existing court space — will allow for bigger tournaments to be held.

“Although some work will begin within a month, the major work in the basketball wing won’t start until mid-August because we want to ensure there’s no interruption to space already reserved,” Ms Conway said.

“I think people will be excited. There’s so much more we can do,” by adding the courts, Ms Conway added.

NYA officials ask the public to visit nyasportsfitness.com for postings of the latest developments.

“Working with Bob the last two years has been a pleasure, and hopefully we can work together again in the future,” Ms Conway said.

Mr Crawford expressed disappointment in the project not coming to fruition, while also holding out hope that it might happen down the road.

Mr Crawford acknowledged that it is complicated to put a for-profit business with high operating costs into an existing not-for-profit building, but he added that only informal meetings were held with town officials.

“I’ve always felt the project was viable and something the town really wanted,” said Mr Crawford, adding that it was a pleasure to meet and work with NYA officials on the proposed project. “Hopefully, along the line there’s something we can do. We still believe in it,” he said.