The Hartford Courant reported this morning that a new Olympic-sized
rink and another of smaller dimensions will be built on the campus of the
University of Hartford.   The new $5M facility will be called the
International Skating Center of Connecticut and will also house all the
ammenities for training world class figure skaters.   The complex will
be directed by Olympic pairs coach Robert Young who recently coached
Karen Courtland and Todd Reynolds in Lillehammer.
 
     As part of the arrangement,  Ukrainian gold medalist Oksana Baiul,
her coach, Galina Zmievskaya,  and Victor and Nina Petrenko will also
be moving to Hartford to train.   (Wow!)
 
     Last night the Hartford City Council granted zoning and wetland
permits and limited tax abatement.   Simsbury developer Stephen Fish
has the necessary financing lined up with Fleet Bank and a loan
guarrantee from the CT Development Authority is imminent.   Construction
is scheduled to start 3/15 with completion slated for 9/15 "in time
for the start of the hockey season".   (Hockey programs will supply
a lot of the rental income.)
 
     The University of Hartford has a creditable Div. I B-ball program,
and something better than just creditable men's and women's soccer
programs.   The tantilizing question from our point of view is ...
are they interested in hockey  --  and if so,  would they fit into
Coach C.'s scheme for a new league?   With a brand new facility,  I
would be willing to bet they would be interested.
 
     More on this when the ECAC East tournament is over.
 
     -- Dick Tuthill