$3 Million Makeover About to Start at Grippen Park in Endicott

Construction work on a long-awaited park improvement project in the town of Union is expected to get underway in the next several weeks.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said groundbreaking for the redevelopment of Grippen Park in West Endicott probably will occur within 30 days.

Garnar said the project will include renovations to the entire building that had housed the park's ice rink, which first opened about 50 years ago.

The county executive told WNBF News the existing roof will be replaced and new bathrooms will be installed in the structure.

Garnar said steps will be taken to floodproof the building, which sits next to the Susquehanna River.

Flooding in April 2005 damaged the rink's ice-making system and contaminated the site when antifreeze leaked from the equipment.

Six pickleball courts, a whiffle ball stadium, an accessible playground and a basketball court will be constructed as part of the project. The parking lot also will be repaved.

Garnar said concerts will be held at Grippen Park in the future. Arrangements also will be made for food trucks to operate at the park. Skating will be offered during the winter months.

The improvement project is expected to cost about $3 million. The county will use some state and federal funding to help pay for the job.

The work is scheduled to be completed this summer.

VIDEO: A reporter returns to Grippen Park and shares a few memories of past visits.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.