Bisignani hopeful on Kasabuski lease

SAUGUS-Town Manager Andrew Bisignani is getting antsy regarding Kasabuski Arena’s looming deficit, but there is some good news.About 10 entities have requested a copy of the request for proposals on leasing the rink and at least four are considered viable candidates.”There have been several very interested prospects,” Bisignani said. “I’ve had conversations with several different entities and all indicated a willingness to bid on the project.”While no one has filed an actual bid yet, Bisigani said that is not unusual since the bids aren’t due until March.Bisignani however said he would like to see a little pressure put on the state delegation to get the special legislation needed to extend the rink’s lease. The town has only five years left on the lease with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Bisignani said he would need more like a 20- year lease to make the deal attractive to prospective renters.”We need this legislation,” Bisignani said. “We’re dead in the water if we don’t get it.”Board of Selectman Michael Kelleher said he spoke with a member of the delegation last week and there was no indication the legislation wouldn’t go through.If it doesn’t happen, Bisignani said the town would be in deep trouble. If the 42,877 square foot building is not leased, the town will have to pick up the tab for the $650,000 deficit, which would cut into the town’s budget substantially.So why would anyone want to take over a rink that needs more than $1 million in repairs and comes with a half million-dollar deficit?”Because it could be a money maker,” Bisignani said, adding if the rink was run more like a business it could be a very viable entity.Putting the idea that the rink could be a moneymaker out there could have the potential to muck up lease plans, but Bisignani doubts it. He said his critics would never run the rink the way it needs to be run to make money, nor does the town have the money to put into repairs to make running it a viable option.”Our philosophy has always been to keep rates low,” he said.While contract negotiations for the lessee would include protecting ice time for Saugus youth, Bisignani said a private company would offer more competitive rates outright.”That’s the difference,” he said.