Dear Editor,

How exciting for Birmingham to have this new stellar training facility (Crossplex). The brainchild of Mayor Bell and former Mayor Langford has come to fruition. It is extremely exciting for the Magic City to have a new state-of-the-art complex while it attempts to evolve as a premier sporting community (in addition to football).

What Birmingham now needs to further the reality of many including the Greater Birmingham Ice Skating Association’s efforts in Hoover to build a 74,000-square-foot exceptional new ice skating rink.

There is a clear need for additional family oriented activities in our area.

Furthermore, unless the mismanagement and difficulties of the current Pelham ice rink change (which may happen come August), there is an indicated necessity for an ice facility that keeps the rink fully operational, out of the red, a potential economic driver, and a year-round place where figure skaters, speed skaters and hockey players and the community can enjoy and practice.

This new complex will also offer scholarships to provide and ensure no youth is denied participation — what more can you ask for? Surely there are private and public dollars to support this effort as well. Can Birmingham rise to the challenge?

Amy Sedlis

Birmingham