Scott Casuccio is the property owner, and developer of the site of the new Howell IceWorld rink. Scott, a Wall Township resident has been in the construction field for over 25 years. He was kind enough to offer us his insight on the project.
Scott, thanks for talking to us. Tell us how you came to construct an ice sports facility?
I have built Flex Office/Warehouse space in the past. I was planning on constructing 3 such buildings here at my Howell property when a business associate introduced me to George Haviland and his partners. We hit it off and the rest is history. The building sizes we had already gotten approvals for fit his ice needs beautifully. We will have the hockey in the front, and we are still looking for compatible tenants for the two other buildings.
Did you just get started on this project Howell?
“No. It has taken me four years of hard work by my team and many professionals to get to this point. We have our approvals and have crossed some pretty high hurdles. I have already completed the site work needed to begin pouring my footings. This 60 degree weather has gotten rid of the snow for us. It’s been a long wait for me and I’m excited to begin seeing the structure come together.”
That’s the biggest question people have: How long does this type of building take to put up?
“The building is pre-engineered steel frame. Most of my steel is on the site, the modified clear span truss work has been ordered, and the reaction drawings are complete. You will be surprised on how quickly it will come together. 3 months for the shell, including the decorative block and fascia work on the outside. We wanted this place to look better than some of the aluminum box rinks you see.”
What about completion, is September reasonable?
Yes. It’s very reasonable. The good news is that the inside walls, which are pretty simple to construct can begin before the outside is done. Once the roof is on, rink specialists will come in and do the installation while we are completing the exterior of the building. I have been in this business for many years, and I know I need to anticipate Murphy’s Law, but I also pride myself in using my crews and delivering projects on time. Believe me, this project is my first priority. Scott , will we see you on the ice?
Well, I have not had skates on since I was a kid on Lake Lefferts in Matawan with my friends. But I have to tell you I am a real sports guy and I am very excited about this project. I plan to be there to watch the games, and see people have a good time… and you just might see me out there.
Titan Families who attended the club’s meeting on Tuesday were treated to sneak peeks at the new facility being built in Howell for the 2010-2011 season. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive. See the preview video here:
HOWELL TWP APPROVAL PAVES WAY FOR NEW ICE RINK
Howell IceWorld Coming to Howell. NJ Titans Club to have new home.
The Howell Township Board voted this evening to allow a family-friendly ice rink to open in the Fall of 2010. The facility to be named Howell IceWorld will be home to the NJ Junior Titan’s youth, midget and junior travel hockey teams. Howell IceWorld, will also host public and figure skating, birthday parties, youth leagues (including, elementary, middle school and high school hockey), learn to skate, and adult hockey leagues. It promises to be a safe, family-friendly entertainment center bringing value to the people of Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties. The 42,000 square foot facility, scheduled to open in September 2010, will be the first new ice arena in the county in over 20 years. It will feature a full NHL sized rink in addition to a mini rink, plus a synthetic ice-training center located on County Rt. 524 near Exit 31 on Interstate 195.
Managing Partner Glenn Adamo, a lifelong hockey devotee said, “We are pleased that the Howell Board looked favorably on our application tonight. Having the NJ Titans club make their home with us in a modern family-friendly ice center was a key decision in moving forward with this project. We want this to be a place that serves the needs of the community while also celebrating the great game of ice hockey. The NJ Titans have shown great success in developing student-athletes at all levels so getting the Haviland family involved in the project adds significant credibility to the hockey experience. Ice Hockey in this area is exploding and there is tremendous demand for a modern state of the art facility”. The Junior Titans, members of the Atlantic Youth Hockey League and the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League, have played at the Gold Coast Arena in Wall Township NJ for the past five seasons after moving from Middlesex County in 2005.
George Haviland is a partner in the rink and principal owner of the NJ Titans. “It is amazing what we have been able to accomplish without our own facility. We know that going forward our membership will realize tremendous benefits skating in our new home. We will have private dressing rooms exclusively for Titan players, provide better value to families, access to the SuperSkills Training Center as well as more convenient practice and game times. We can increase the number of skaters in our club and move more players to high school, college hockey and beyond.”
Scott Casuccio, the complex’s developer, “I have formed a great relationship with George and the group and know how important it is to have this project completed on schedule for the kids. I look forward to a long and beneficial relationship “.
Anyone that attended Dynamic’s summer camps last year knows Tom Ford runs some terrific programs. He is bringing Paul Vincent’s methods to the SISP for a series of spring clinics. Sign ups on Dynamic’s site
Four recent Junior Titans were selected to play in the Atlantic Junior Hockey League’s All Star game in Walpole Mass. It’s great to see them excelling at the next level, and we wish them continued success:
Rich Meyer -1991- D Boston Bulldogs - Titans Juniors (2008-2009)
Andrew Moscardelli – 1990 – D Hartford Wolfpack – Titans Juniors (2007-2008)
Danny Kane – 1990 – F- Boston Bulldogs – Titan Juniors (2006-2009)
Travis Daniel – 1990 – F – Rockets – Titans Juniors (2006-2008)
The First Annual
NJ JUNIOR TITANS HOCKEY
“Slap Shot Gift Auction & Dinner”
Friday, January 22nd
Spring Lake Manor, Rt. 71.,
Spring Lake Heights
6pm-10pm
See your Team Managers for Tickets!!
Gift Auction Baskets and Prizes are Incredible!!
Coach
Golf Outings
NHL Tickets
Sports Equipment
Gift Certificates
Gift Cards
Autographed Memorabilia
Pre Event Tickets $40.00 each
At the Door $50.00 each
Includes Dinner Buffet, DJ, Bar Drink,
Fun and Friends!!!
Get a table and bring your neighbors and friends. It will be a good night out and you can help a good cause.
Summer tournament teams can be great fun, a chance to play against new competition and sometimes for older players, a chance to get exposure. There are opportunities for players at all levels Juniors-Mites. Each tournament team works a little differently in terms of team selection. Some will be comprised of all Jr. Titan players while others will select players from the entire area. Some are invitation only while others will have openings for interested players. To give us an idea as to which of our members are interested in being considered for any of these tournaments, click here for the full story.
Summer tournament teams can be great fun, a chance to play against new competition and sometimes for older players, a chance to get exposure. There are opportunities for players at all levels. Each tournament team works a little differently in terms of team selection. Some will be comprised of all Jr. Titan players while others will select players from the entire area. Some are invitation only while others will have openings for interested players. To give us an idea as to which of our members are interested in being considered for any of these tournaments, enter your information below. You do not need to be a AAA player to be considered for a AAA tournament, however, selections for these squads are more competitive.
All final team selections will be made by the NJ Junior Titans Hockey Staff.
For non-birth year tournaments (e.g. Pee Wee), you will play in your the division for the ‘10-11 season (for example a ‘97 was a 2nd year Pee Wee 09-10, but will skate as a Bantam in an Aston if they go).
Lastly, if you do get an invitation to be on the team, you need to accept the position and submit your fee within one week. If you delay, there is a chance we may have to select the next eligible player from the list.
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Each team will have one practice together before the tournament at the Staten Island Skating Pavilion, which is included in the tournament fee of $225:
Squirt Walker finishes 2nd in Silver Sticks Philly Regional
The Jr Titans registered their first championship game appearance as a club at Silver Sticks in the Philly Regional over the w/end. Coach Walkers Squirts placed 2nd in their bracket in round robin play before moving onto the one game elimination playoff’s winning in the Qtr’s and Semi’s before bowing to the NJ Bandits 3-1 in the championship game. Teams from NJ, NY, Pa, Va and Del , in all 16 total, competed for the grand prize of playing in Canada in January 2010. Our very own Red and White played in 6 games total, 3 round robin games and 3 playoff games, going 4-2 overall, scoring 30 goals while giving up 11. Every Titan player registered a point in the tournament. All of our forwards scored a goal and all of our blueliners played stellar defensive hockey in a 3 day span. Tommy played goal in all 6 games and simply put played his heart out between the pipes.
In a span of 3 days we had our downers, giving up 3 goals in 4 minutes in losing to the Saints and falling to the Bandits in the finals and our ups in bouncing back in a must win 2nd game against the Prowl winning 3-1, beating Red Bank 8-1 in the Qtrs, having the lead for 35 minutes in the Semi’s against the Edge, watching our lead erased by a tip in to send the game into OT only to see Shane flip a perfect saucer pass over 2 Edge defender sticks to Jack who pushed the puck through the legs of a charging Edge defender setting up a 1-1 battle with their goalie with Jack wristing the game winner top shelf sending the Jr Titan faithful into an eruption heard all the way up to the shore(AWESOME!!!). Probably the highlite of the tourney game in the final game against the Bandits, our boys coming off their 5th game in a 48 hour span donned their Red and White road Reds for the final and played their hearts out from the drop of the puck to the final horn. Not once did they let up pushing their tired heavy legs more and more giving their all for 36 minutes. In the end they lost on the scoreboard, but in our hearts they won, showing their fan base what a group of 9 and 10 year olds are capable of doing when they play a game they dearly love.
Special thanks to the friends and family of our Jr Titans, who were the loudest fans during the tournament. Thanks to Kristine for coordinating the travel plans for us parents. Thanks to Marlene and Jerry for the late night pizza that filled our hungry bellies Friday and Saturday nights. Thanks to our coaches, John and Jeff for their game leadership with the kids. Randy as their Head Coach couldn’t have done a better job manning the ship as their Captain executing a great game plan over the 3 day span. And last but not least to our players below who wore their Jr Titans sweaters with pride at Silver Sticks letting the youth hockey world know who they are, the Jr Titan Squirt Walker team from Wall NJ!!!! Well done boys, well done!!!! Go Titans!!!
