To the editor:
I wrote this letter nearly a year ago in reference to a front page story in the Pioneer, but never sent it. However I still think it timely today, the article I was referencing aside.
First off, congratulations to the Houlton High boys and girls basketball teams … what a great season.
The heart of this note to the editor and open letter to the town of Houlton goes back to my elation when I received my HPT in the mail (as I have weekly for 36 years) a few weeks ago to see the Houlton Community Rink (otherwise known as the John A Millar Civic Center) on the front page, but also my significant disappointment when I read of the “plea” and understanding for a way to make the “Rink” successful as a business.
I read 100 percent of the article, many times. I was left finding myself dumbfounded in how this could be … that a community, the center of my youth and activity of my hometown, was left “perplexed” on how the “rink” has become a “deficit” to the town.
Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mr. Cleary, I do not know you, but I am sure my father did. I can assure you both that my Dad was not only thinking about “hockey” when the first outdoor rink was built at the other end of Community Park circa 1965; he was thinking about the town of Houlton. (I drove my Dad’s 1974 Camaro with a “Let’s Build A Pool” sign on the roof; this had nothing to do with hockey.)
I spent many nights there as the students from Ricker College, townspeople, Dr. G.I. Wilson, the Trickey family and many more, flooded this rink (the outdoor rink, where the tennis courts are). It was this group who worked hard to build the first indoor rink in 1975 and in 1980 that rink became known as the “John Millar Community Arena.” It could have easily been called “The Rink That the Trickeys Built” or “The Doctor G.I. Wilson Arena” but my father was humble and I remain humble that it was decided that this arena be named in honor of my Dad.
I have been a fairly successful (humble) business person for going on 30 years, thanks to my hometown roots and many others, my parents included. I would think that you must have several if not many business models at your fingertips that give a template of how to make a “community municipal space” successful. Our neighbors in New Brunswick have figured this out. Last count there are 30-plus arenas in the state of Maine. Many are private, I understand that, but many are town community centers or part of the school system.
I am also a bit perplexed on how a high school(s) can budget all aspects (heat, electric, water, sewage, etc) of a “gymnasium” (aka the basketball court) and not view the “Rink” in a similar fashion. I would have to think that if you budget “X” dollars and cents for athletics per student, the heat, electric, upkeep and revenue generated are all line items of the school budget so please break that down for us to demonstrate profit or loss in these facilities and include the “Civic Center.” If provided the same revenues or tax nexus apply?
It is not lost for one second on me that all these programs work because of “volunteerism” — basketball, soccer, baseball, football, volleyball, gym, hockey, etc. I know that a lot of “baked goods” were sold to get our teams to Bangor, etc. thanks to you all! But please do not post a front page story of “a building in distress” without making fair comparisons.
Jamie Millar
Weare, N.H.
