Longtime Hyde Park Ice Pavilion operator reflects on running popular rink

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later for Mike Carella, the longtime operator of the Hyde Park Ice Pavilion in Niagara Falls.

The past 14 years all come down to the final days of September for Carella, whose last day will be Sept. 30. As he prepares to hand the reins of the rink over to a new operator, he can’t help but look back and reflect on his passion that made the place what it is today.

“I’ve been in hockey my whole life,” Carella said. “The first time I ever skated was on this rink when I was 5 years old. I got married on this rink. We’ve had so many parties in here — birthday parties, family, every Christmas my family comes to this rink and we have our Christmas party here. That’s the stuff that hurts me.”

Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino claims Carella is being removed due to owing the city money. There has not been a contract between the city and Carella for several years.

Last week, the city council voted to reject the mayor’s plan to bring in an out-of-town operator, and then on Thursday, Niagara Falls businessman Jerry Puleo confirmed with WIVB News 4 that he is set to take over as interim operator of the rink beginning Oct. 1.

From the flags and banners you see draped along the rink to the bar and lounge area adjacent to the ice, Carella, with tears in his eyes, walked our cameras through the facility that he says he worked years to make into the family-friendly environment it is today.

While he may not be the operator after next week, Carella still coaches several hockey teams and vowed to continue to be there for the kids and to help make the transition in operations as smooth as possible.

“I’m here for the kids,” Carella said. “Anybody that knows me knows I’m here for the kids. I will make sure that Jerry has their ice schedule, and that’s all I can do.”

As for the status of the tournaments, the next one is slated to start Nov. 14, which Carella said as far as he’s aware, hasn’t changed.

News 4 reached out to Mayor Restaino multiple times, along with the new operator, on what the future of the rink is going to look like.

Mayor Restaino did post a video online Friday weighing in on the new operator taking the helm. In the nearly 11-minute long video, he said he’s anxious to turn the page at the pavilion, and encouraged anyone who’s previously paid for time on the ice to take that up with Carella.