By Dylan Pichnarcik News Editor By Bella Grimaldi Interim Asst. News Editor Framingham State University will partner with the town of Ashland to construct an ice rink and barn at the Warren Conference Center. The project will cost FSU and Ashland $3.65 million, according to Robert Totino, vice president of finance, technology, and administration. Totino announced the project at a meeting of the Board of Trustees Nov. 13. A motion to approve the project was passed unanimously. The Warren Conference Center is located in Ashland and was acquired by the Massachusetts State College Building Authority on behalf of FSU in 2015. Totino said the construction of the ice rink began on Nov. 18 and will continue into December. The rink is expected to open for a soft launch later this month pending proper weather conditions.“It's roughly six inches of ice, and it has to be a certain temperature to hold the ice for a period of time. So there's a lot of conditions that go into this next few weeks for this temporary construction,” Totino said. Accessing the rink will be free to members of the FSU community, including faculty, staff and students, according to Totino. Free transportation to and from the Warren Center will be offered through the Student Transportation Center, according to Director Kim Galvani. “STC will provide transportation services to the Warren Center by implementing a dedicated shuttle service. This shuttle will run on a set schedule to ensure reliable and convenient transportation for the community. More details about the exact schedule and logistics will be provided once the plan is finalized,” Galvani said. Galvani said providing free transportation should encourage students to visit the Warren Conference Center. “It offers added convenience and removes any barriers related to transportation costs, making it more accessible for students to engage with the center.” While the ice rink is expected to be operational by mid-December, the barn built on the property is expected to be completed between the fall of 2025 and winter of 2026. A barn on the Warren Center property was razed a few years ago. Totino said the site of the barn “was given back to the town of Ashland.” Totino said the barn will also serve as a recreational facility with room for ice-skate rentals available to students as well as restrooms. Totino said he expects the barn to be used as a venue for meetings and community events. Funding for the barn and rink through FSU will come from excess funds given to the Warren Center for improvements as well as funds given to FSU from the state legislature's fiscal year 2024 budget, according to Totino. Totino said FSU was given a $1.5 million general appropriations allotment for fiscal year 2025 “which is going to pay for a majority of the cost of the temporary ice rental location for this winter, and then the barn facility that we're contributing toward.” Totino added, “The town of Ashland’s Board of Selectmen have approved $1.5 million toward the barn project as well.” Kim Sternick, Warren Center general manager, said she is excited about the project. "It is a unique recreational offering available to FSU, our Warren Center guests, and the local community.” She added, “I do believe it will attract a different audience to the Warren Conference Center. I anticipate that families and students will take advantage of the facility and the rink, which is located next to our new café, Henry’s Place.” Freshman Ava Sillings said skating with her friends sounds fun. Freshman Xander Forward said, “I think it’s important that FSU students have access to extracurricular activities off campus. He said he would “love to learn to ice skate a bit better.” Freshman Finley Hogan said she thinks having an ice skating rink at the Warren Center is “pretty cool.” Hogan said she is unsure if she would use the rink. “I love to skate but also, I am on the hockey team, so it would be cool for more relaxed skating.” She added she would use the free transportation provided by the Student Transportation Center. Sophomore Dawanee Phanthavong did not know FSU owned the Warren Center, but said the ice rink sounded like a great opportunity off campus. She added, “I do plan on going. I’ve been talking to my friends about wanting to go ice skating and hopefully, I get to make that dream come true.” Phanthavong said she would also use free transportation services. Freshman Savannah Goba said she believes members of the FSU community would take advantage of the ice rink. Goba, who is currently injured, said once she has healed, she will use the ice rink. “My best friend plays hockey. I bet she would love to take me," she said.