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While you might not think about it all that often, it's important to recognize what an impact an institution like the Franciscan University of Steubenville has on the area's economy.
The school, which has been serving the region for the past 75 years, helps to generate $422 million and nearly 8,000 jobs annually, according to a survey compiled by a team led by Michael Welker and released last fall. An economics professor at the school, Welker pointed out the importance of those numbers while discussing the survey in September.
"The findings highlight that the university's presence here is having a major impact on the community," Welker said. "The region is still under stress, but things are moving in a positive direction."
Those numbers were not lost on Joe Wallace. The executive director of community relations at the university, Wallace pointed to them Monday afternoon during the press conference where plans for the Rink at Franciscan Square were officially announced.
"This rink is going to be the next piece of impact that we hope will draw more activity to the university corridor," Wallace said while speaking in the lobby of the Best Western Plus University Inn. "This rink is possible through the expected realization of gifts from some local supporters who have been invested in the university for many years, and we are extremely excited to continue on with this project."
Construction of the permanent rink in what is now the green space across from the entrance to the hotel is the latest example of the school's commitment to the community. When completed later this year, the 80-foot-by-64-foot rink will represent $1 million in infrastructure improvements and will, in Wallace's words, "provide an outstanding skating experience and atmosphere."
Work by local contractors and the Johnstown, Pa.-based Everything Ice will begin on May 15. That means the Franciscan Square area along University Boulevard will become an even busier place. For example, work continues at the 25,000-square-foot St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and additional construction will be seen there in the future.
That development goes back to the efforts nearly 10 years ago of the now-retired Dave Skiviat, the university vice president who was a driving force behind Franciscan Square.
"He was the backbone and visionary of all that is happening on the square," Wallace said. "It was Dave's vision and foresight into what we are seeing happening right now and all of the other developments that are taking place."
And the region is taking notice.
"These are all signs of new life coming to Steubenville," said Phil Rook, director of real estate development for the university.
"When I speak to people from around the Ohio Valley, they all point to the square as evidence of the revitalization of the city. The rink is another piece to the ongoing development," he added.
"We expect more than 15,000 additional people to visit the square this winter because of the rink," Rook added. "This is going to greatly impact the restaurants and businesses, create more jobs and be a draw for new retail businesses that are considering our location. It is going to benefit the community by providing much-needed outdoor recreation for families."
Plus, all of that extra traffic is sure to benefit existing businesses at the square, including the hotel, Bennigan's, Rubi's Pizza and Grille and Brooklyn Bagel on the Square.
It will be another activity that will generate interest in the city during the Christmas season.
"The rink will complement the outdoor activity in the city of Steubenville, with the Nutcracker Village," Rook added. "So, if you are looking for a memorable time with your family, come down to the square, have dinner and skate with your family -- or invite people from out of town to come to the square and have dinner and skate."
It's anticipated that the rink will be open for skating from mid-November through mid-February. For the rest of the year, Rook said the plan is to lay the green turn over the area and use the space as it is now, as a commons that can serve as the host site for numerous spring and summer events.
The decision to install the permanent rink goes back to the temporary rink that was brought into the square several years ago.
"In 2020, when the temporary rink was opened, I did come out," said Matt Grimshaw, CEO of Trinity Health System. "I'm an awful skater -- but I brought my family, and we had fun -- and that's what this is really about -- bringing families together, people together and bringing lives together here in Steubenville."
Trinity is the title sponsor of the rink, while the Charles M. and Thelma M. Pugliese Foundation is the lead sponsor, Wallace said. Also playing keys roles in the work are Franco Carapellotti and Fraspada Management, the developer at Franciscan Square, and Joe Luckino of Cedar One Realty, which partners with Fraspada.
Tom Gentile, president of the university's community relations board, said that rink was another example of the impact the school has on the community.
"When I think about what Franciscan brings to the community, I think about the intangibles as much as I do the tangibles," he said. "The intangibles are what you can't touch, you can't feel and you can't see, and it's the wonderful students who come and are part of the community, it's the families, it's the staff and all of the amazing things and great people that the school brings to the community.
"What we are seeing here today is the complete opposite," he continued. "It is something that you can feel and touch and see, and everybody in our community can see what's going on and see the great things Franciscan is doing."
It's that connection with people that really made a difference in the decision to build the rink.
"Of course, we are investing in the rink, but for me, it is investing in people, investing in families, investing in opportunities to make memories," said the Rev. Dave Pivonka, TOR, president of the university. "When you bring your family down for the holidays, it becomes part of the tradition.
"To be able to have a place where people can gather and come together, largely just to celebrate, to have fun and relax -- to me, this was an easy decision. To the local community, every opportunity we have to continue to develop relationships and continue to work together is a great thing," he continued.
"I can't wait for the rink to open."
(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is executive editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times.)