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By Bill Carey
Berkshire Eagle Staff
PITTSFIELD -- A former world-class figure skater
who now choreographs televised skating events has joined the
board of Quinn's Legacy Foundation, influencing a decision
to more than double the seating for a proposed ice arena off
Dan Fox Drive.
Lea Ann Miller, who resides in West Stockbridge, wanted to
build her own ice rink in the area, but instead has joined
the foundation dedicated to building a sports facility in
memory of Quinn Connally, the youngster who died after being
struck by a hockey puck in December 2000.
Olympic figure skater
Miller and former skating partner Bill Fauver participated
in the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo and the World Figure
Skating Championships from 1981 through 1984. They were silver
medalists at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 1981,
1983 and 1984. They won the bronze medal in 1982.
Miller could not be reached yesterday. According to the foundation,
she has choreographed several televised skating programs,
including the Allstate All-Star Olympic Salute, Kurt Browning's
"Gotta Dance," Katarina Witt's "Divas on Ice,"
Tara Lipinski's "Hip Hop on Ice" and Brian Boitano's
"Holiday Spectacular."
Stephen Connally, Quinn Connally's father and president of
the foundation, said Miller's desire to conduct ice performances
"was certainly a big part" of the decision to expand
the capacity of the planned ice arena from the original 1,200
seats to 3,000 seats.
The expanded seating does not alter the plan for twin, regulation-size
ice rinks, but may rule out the possibility of an abutting
outdoor athletic field because of the need for more parking.
"Parking is going to be an issue," Connally said.
The cost of the facility, originally projected at $5 million
to $7 million, has risen to $9 million or more. Now prepared
to sign a design contract with Milberger & Milberger Architects
Inc. of Huntsville, Ala., the foundation has "enough
cash on hand to get us through the design phase," reported
Connally, who said the fund-raising effort is going well.
Earlier this month, the foundation announced a $75,000 contribution
from Berkshire Life Insurance Co. of America, where Connally
formerly worked. He has left the company to work full-time
for the foundation. The first announced donation for the planned
ice arena was made by Quality Printing Co., which pledged
$25,000.
The facility will be built on a roughly 20-acre site donated
by the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and Del Alba Realty on
the south side of Dan Fox Drive near its intersection with
Route 7. Connally said he is hopeful for a summer construction
start.
The Quinn Connally Memorial Sports Facility will be owned
and operated as a nonprofit enterprise by the foundation,
which has a 13-member board now that Miller has joined. Connally
said the foundation is committed to providing a venue for
affordable community recreation and has prepared a business
plan for the operation.
"We've run some numbers. We've run it by some accountants,"
he said. "As far as expenditures go, we're right in the
range of what a rink would expend on average. It will be affordable."
Donations to the effort may be made to Quinn's Legacy Foundation
Inc., in care of Berkshire Bank, 66 West St., Pittsfield,
MA 01201. For more information, contact Stephen or Ann Connally
at (413) 743-7558.
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