The Observation Deck

One question:

What does Serpentini pay to have his big name plastered all over the building?


One Statement:

Winterhurst puts Lakewood, Ohio on the international map on a consistent basis. Ice Skating greats like Carol Heiss Jenkins who coached Olympic Ice Skaters at Winterhurst. Maryl Davis & Charlie White are just 2 of the many renowned Olympic Ice Skaters that have practiced their routines at Lakewood's own Winterhurst.

My friends, family and I have watched the winter Olympics over the years, always beaming with pride when Lakewood and the Winterhurst Rink are mentioned. Lakewood's facility has contributed to the development of some of the greatest skaters who have honed their skills and artistry right here in Lakewood, Ohio.


I find it hard to believe that we would replace this rink with an indoor soccer field. (Except that Mike Summers is involved in this wack decision)

Where is the creativity, integrity and fortitude in our local government that would have them stem the closing of industries that are UNIQUE and owned by the city. Where are the problem solving skills. Why the disregard for what has made Lakewood the great place it is.

Any old place can have restaurants, bars, retail shops and the like. A world renowned skating rink ( and yes, a hospital)- along with special theaters and other items we have "lost" are unique spaces that not every city can enjoy.

Our Parks and the Solstice steps are special and unique to Lakewood. Let us not give away anymore Lakewood greatness in an effort to be like Westlake or Tremont or Avon or whatever this administrations thinks it is emulating. Just because something has been around a long time, does not make it undesirable.

The powers in Lakewood have been trying to bring about a " Gentrification" to our city in an effort to reduce the number of "those people..the old and the poor?

Their efforts are actually turning Lakewood MORE into an inner ring city and less like the suburbs they want us to resemble. Sad and unnecessary.

Also, just read an article last week that millennials are migrating AWAY from high density areas ..I will try to look it up again. You know that generation is having families and priorities change with each new baby!!

Loving Lakewood history as I do, (and quite frankly, being around Lakewood for close to 59 of my years on this planet) I've been a part of quite a bit of that history. (I've actually lived here for more than half of Lakewood's official existence as a city!)

I well recall Winterhurst being an outdoor ice skating rink on a chilly 1950's January evening, with strings of frosty light bulbs swinging low above the skaters and Dad (Lakewood teacher Robert Rice) doing all sorts of tricks on the ice, to the jaw-dropping amazement of his Harding students!

Not long ago, I was informed that during and before World War Two, Lakewood had a very active gun club that had their shooting range (I think underground) on that same property. Indeed, with the attack on Pearl Harbor and the expansion of Axis powers, there were school gun clubs shooting in the junior highs until well after the war.

Hard to believe that seeing a student carrying a gun through a Lakewood school was once thought of as being a perfectly normal part of school activities, but I digress here.

Attached, you will see a patch that I found at a flea market from the old Lakewood Gun Club.

Back to the banjo...

Current rumors from people that know are, Serpatini's Ice Land USA sold, re-nammed but more than willing to continue on with the agreement beyond 2018

But we know how badly this administration lusts over soccer fields.

We know how this administrations loves to make things fail, or look like they are failing to privatize for friends.

Hmmmmmmmm

.

Heads up!
Our pal Corey Rossen is over on the Jen Pae fake community FB page endorsing the conversion of Winterhurst to an indoor soccer, lacrosse, baseball, etc. facility.
hmmmmmmm.........................

pet food store--- pet food store

Gee, why not something new and different?

Ice skate-target shooting while playing soccer with baseballs and lacrosse sticks?

Multi-task sports! The next big thing?

Seriously, (and for me that's kinda hard to do ) this facility brings a great deal of good publicity to Lakewood. Let's keep it.

Back to the banjo.

http://www.onelakewood.com/city-council ... committee/

I wonder who will be on this committee? I suspect a pool of candidates has already been selected by City Hall. Jay Foran is probably one of them.

Who will the land be sold to? Liberty (Dru's place) or Forest City (Cleveland Clinic front)? Speaking of Dru, why is he booking town now?

Who will be selected to do the demolition? C&J or the company owned by the guys with two-mile long rap sheets?

Don't kid yourself folks. City Hall and Mr. Summers already know exactly what will happen regarding the "future" of Winterhurst. I will go out on a limb here and suspect that the plans have already been drawn up and the contracts have been signed in ink, just like the hospital. More money will be wasted on studies and consultants I'm sure, just like the hospital.