The upcoming grand opening of Riverhead's latest sports venue, the Peconic Hockey Rink, is set for the next weekend. Situated at Veterans Memorial Park in Calverton, this new rink is eagerly preparing for its inaugural celebration on Saturday, November 25th. This event is expected to draw notable personalities including the first captain of the New York Islanders.
The rink is a project of the Peconic Hockey Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 2015 and backed by the New York Islanders. This foundation will manage the NHL-standard ice rink, which will be operational throughout the year at the town park.
Unique in its design, the rink features a protective dome to maintain its ice quality. The rink is named in honor of Edwin Westfall, the esteemed first captain of the New York Islanders. Westfall, along with other dignitaries such as Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky, former New York hockey star Pat LaFontaine, and Sparky the Dragon, the Islanders' mascot, are expected to grace the opening ceremony, as shared by Kim Interdonato, the rink's service and skating director.