Belmont's $32 Million Rink Closure Is Costing the Town Money

BELMONT — Belmont's rink, closed since July 13 because of humidity and environmental-control problems, is also draining town funds, according to a Patch report published Monday. The closure comes as the town heads into a stretch of disruption, with the MBTA Red Line set to shut down between Alewife and Park Street for 10 days starting Tuesday.

TOWN HALL

The Rink remains closed indefinitely "due to ongoing humidity and environmental control issues within the facility," the town's News Flash announced, and a story the town's News Flash also covered today was picked up by Patch, which reported the $32 million facility is "suddenly costing the town money" — details the outlet did not fully break out in its preview.

Riders should plan around a major MBTA disruption: Red Line service between Alewife and Park Street will be suspended for 10 consecutive days, from July 21 through July 30, the town confirmed. Separately, the planned removal of a Copper Beech tree has been postponed after robins were found nesting in it, Town Hall said, without giving a new removal date.

In smaller items, the town reminded residents that early voting by mail is open for all 2026 elections with no excuse required, and that "Orange & Red Top" hydrant flushing continues through July under the annual schedule. The June 2026 Town Administrator's Bulletin and updates on the 2026 Pavement Management Program are also posted on the town website for residents tracking road work.

SCHOOLS

Belmont Public Schools has opened registration for the 2026-2027 school year, according to the district's website.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

"🌱 Patch AM: Why Belmont's $32 million rink is suddenly costing the town money" — Patch's morning newsletter flagged new financial fallout from the rink closure without detailing the costs in its preview, per Belmont Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/belmont).

"Lettuce Sold In MA Provided 'False Positive' For Parasite, FDA Says" — the FDA acknowledged a testing error that wrongly linked lettuce sold in Massachusetts to a Cyclospora outbreak, according to Patch reporter Joseph Hosey (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/belmont).

COMING UP

The Planning Board meets in a hybrid session on Tuesday, July 21. The Library Building Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday, July 28. The MBTA Red Line suspension between Alewife and Park Street runs July 21 through July 30.