Breakaway Ice Center (formally Superskills Rink) is located within the Sports World Center athletic complex, which also houses racquetball and tennis courts, weight training and aerobics as well as basketball and deck hockey. "Lew’s Place" is a sports restaurant/bar that overlooks the rink. The Breakaway Ice rink was constructed in 2004 and includes an off-ice training room, pro shop and coaches room.
For ice rental information please call Mario Martiniello at 978-640-9800.
Superskills Rink Construction Journal
September 8, 2004 - The Superskills Rink is Now Open!
Today at 4:15 p.m. the New England Moose Midget "AAA" team will take the ice as the Superskills Rink officially opens! Building the rink with such a tight schedule was a tremendous challenge and Mario sure lived up to his nickname "Super Mario" completing the project on time and on budget. Mario Martiniello along with his father Mario Sr. worked tirelessly all summer to get the job done. Thank you to everyone who played a role in getting this rink built. Whether it was a referral, words of encouragement and support or actually strapping on a tool belt, so many people were a part of this ambitious endeavor and we are truly grateful.
September 7, 2004
We are awaiting the final thumbs up from the health department and it doesn't appear that we will have it by 12:00 p.m. today. As noted we have passed the plumbing, electrical, fire and building inspection and the health department is the final piece of the puzzle. We do not anticipate any complications but procedure must be followed. The ice is ready for action and the construction complete except for some cosmetic work. We will not be able to skate today and are planning on opening tomorrow and will post an announcement by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
August 28, 2004
As of Saturday you could actually so the finish line approaching. The boards and glass are up and the FRP board is almost totally installed. Most importantly the compressor is running and by Monday the water laid down to saturate the sand will be frozen and we will start to build the ice up. Each day Arnie from M&M brings down the temperature of the floor and on Monday we should be around 17 degrees. The HVAC system which pulls the moisture out of the rink was installed as well and will start working on Monday. The plumbing fixtures such as the sinks and toilet are being put in and the flooring crew will come in this week to put the rubber floor down to complete the construction process. Ice painting is also scheduled this week as well as final inspections by the city of Tewksbury. Once again it will be a busy week putting the final peices of the puzzle together.
August 21, 2004
As Superskills Total Skill Camp wrapped up in Andover on Friday, the last board was erected at the Superskills Rink in Tewksbury. Over the weekend Athletica will continue to work and put up the glass which will be seamless along the viewing area. Along with the boards the transformer that will provide the power to run the compressor was installed this week as well the the main power line pulled. This weeks list of things to do include continuing to put up the RFP board as well as installing bathroom fixtures. The main project of the week will be starting the compressor and, by the end of the week, to begin the ice making process.
August 13, 2004
We have now hit the halfway point of August and we are more excited about what's next than what has been accomplished. THE BOARDS arrive on Monday and, along with the glass, will be put up by the end of the week! On Friday we will actually be able to see "the rink" after over two months of labor. Also this week the RFP board will be put up as much of the painting was was just finished. Also completed last week was the installation of all the doors and glass for the locker rooms, gym, pro shop and offices.
August 7, 2004
The first week of August marked the finishing of the surface by American Refrigeration. After the 11 miles of piping was tested they covered the pipes with sand and laser leveled the surface. American Refrigeration will wrap up the rest of their work over the next two weeks and that's when we will start making ice. Also this week, the door frames and windows were delivered and will be installed beginning on Monday. Tuesday marks the arrival of the new Zamboni so if you see one on a truck heading down 93 with a Zamboni on it you know where it's heading! 9 days until the boards arrive.
July 30, 2004
It's hard to believe that July is over and all that was accomplished this month. Last week the 11 miles of piping was pulled and then tested for leaks over the weekend. Once the piping is cleared sand will be poured over top and another part of the process completed. Also, last week, the walls were completed and a new garage door for the zamboni installed. This week the windows and doors will be put in and we will begin putting up the RFP board. We have one more week to prepare before the boards arrive on site!
July 23, 2004
I am sorry for missing last week but the camp season is in full swing so that means a lot of time on the ice and not in the office. Over the last two weeks the walls for the lockers rooms, gym, pro shop and lobby are almost completed. The compressor arrived this week as well as the dehumidification system. American Refrigeration began pulling the cold floor that consists of 11 miles, yes, 11 miles of piping. This piping was laid over the insulation covering the warm floor. It won't be to long until we see the arrival of the boards and the new Zamboni! Superskills has three programs running this week and I will put another posting up next Saturday.
July 9, 2004
As of July 9th we have hit the halfway point in the construction process. This week American refrigeration pulled the warm floor. This warm floor is on the sand bed and will be covered with another layer of sand. It's purpose is to insure against any frost heaves. They lazer level the sand to make it perfectly flat. The next phase for American Refridgeration will be to pull the cold floor. Electric work comntinues as well as work on the locker rooms and Gym. The walls for the rooms are not to far away as the building is starting to take shape.
July 2, 2004
Five weeks of construction are now complete as we have almost reached the halfway point. This week American Refrigeration put in the header pipes across the width of the ice surface which will be followed by piping that runs the rinks length. Also completed this week was the duct work that will bring heat into the lobby, locker rooms and offices. Work also continued on the utility and compressor room. This will be a short week because of the Monday holiday but after the pace that has been set the day off is well deserved.
June 25, 2004
Week four was the most productive so far at the rink. The perimeter of the rink was poured and the sand was all leveled for American Refrigeration to come in and start laying the pipes for the ice. At this point we are no longer able to set foot on the sand surface of the rink so please keep that in mind if you are stopping by to take a look. Mario Martiniello Jr. and Sr. along with Mark Veins have worked very hard, including every Saturday, to get the rink to this point. The locker rooms and offices as well as the gym and the pro shop have been framed and we are starting to get a feel for what the end result will look like.
June 18, 2004
Week three wrapped up another successful week at the construction site. The steel was placed in the platforms which will serve to reinforce the concrete around the perimeter of the rink and the snow melt pit, where the zamboni dumps the snow as opposed to dumping it outside, was completed. The plumbing for the locker rooms was filled and paved as well as the main piping for the refrigeration buried. The framers also began work and at this point the pro shop and office space if framed. The gym and it's 16 foot ceiling will come next followed by the locker rooms which will will be equipped with showers and toilets. Starting on Monday the concrete will begin to be poured for the perimeter and the by the end of the week the sand will be perfectly leveled for American Refrigeration to start laying the piping for the ice surface.
June 11, 2004
Week two at the construction site was very productive. Early in the week Mark Veins finished off the removal of the old tennis floor and by the end of the week Mario Martiniello Sr. and his crew had put in place most of the platforms surrounding the perimeter of the ice surface. These platforms will be filled with cement which will brace the hockey boards. Also, the pipes to be used for plumbing for the locker rooms were laid as well as the initial piping that American Refrigeration will use. The next step will be laying the concrete for the rink border and compressor room as well as outlining the locker rooms, office, gym, and pro shop. Several Superskills supporters passed by this week to take a look at the construction process and to see Super Mario with a hard hat on and knee deep in dirt!
June 4, 2004
It's been an exciting and busy week at the Superskills Rink. Bright and early on Tuesday contractors met at the work site. The electrician began replacing the lights and moving them to shine properly on where the ice surface will eventually be and American Refrigeration began their preliminary work. The big stuff was left up to Mark Veins, father of Austin who plays on the New England Moose Peewee Minor Team. Mark and his excavating crew dug up the existing paved tennis court and future Zamboni and compressor room. By Friday Mark had the ice surface all dug out, trucks removed the pavement, and now will begin leveling it off 16 inches below floor level where the rink piping will eventually be placed. The crew will be back at it again on Monday for week two of construction.
May 21, 2004
The construction for the new Superskills Rink has begun with the major work set to get underway June 1st. Over the next three months we will keep you up to speed with pictures and descriptions from the job site. We are very excited about this project and are happy to do our best to share the experience.
