RFP #27-12 Operation of Founders Memorial Ice Skating Rink

The City of Somerville, Massachusetts, Department of Recreation is soliciting proposals for operation and management of the Founders Memorial Ice Skating Rink at 14 Bleachery Court, with proposals due September 23, 2026 by 3:00 PM EST and questions due September 10, 2026 by 12:00 PM EST.

The scope encompasses day-to-day staffing, programming, maintenance, revenue collection, and facility operations of a public ice skating venue. The operator must maintain a minimum operating season from November through March 31 each year and provide dedicated ice time for Somerville High School hockey, the Somerville Youth Hockey Association, and general public skating (minimum six hours per week). Somerville high school students receive free skating on early-release Wednesdays from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM with complimentary skate rentals. The operator is responsible for facility cleaning, utilities, building system maintenance and code compliance, staff management including Massachusetts CORI background checks for all on-site employees, and routine Zamboni maintenance; the City retains responsibility for major mechanical repairs, trash removal, parking lot snow removal, and grounds maintenance. Proposers must demonstrate at least three years of comparable ice rink operating experience within the last ten years, sufficient financial capacity and established accounting systems for monthly revenue reporting, key personnel assignments, and commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 with the City named as additional insured. Operators must comply with the City's Living Wage Ordinance (minimum $18.85 per hour as of July 1, 2026), wage theft ordinance requirements, and local ordinances including vulnerable road-user protections.

Pricing proposals must specify a revenue-share percentage of gross ice-time and public skate revenues (excluding concessions, marketing, and advertisements) remitted to the City, hourly rates for public ice time with discounted rates for Somerville youth and programs, and projected revenues for up to three years. The operator pays a one-dollar use and occupancy license fee and submits monthly gross-receipts statements by the 15th of each month with annual reconciliation within 45 days of season end.

The initial contract term runs November 1, 2026 through October 31, 2027, with two optional one-year renewal periods at the City's sole discretion. Contract award is anticipated September 30, 2026, with operations commencing November 27, 2026.