New Ice Rink Not To Replace Arena

Experiments with low-cost ice-making equipment now being conducted by the Metropolitan District Commission are not an alternative to the purchase of the Boston Arena, Benjamin Fink of the MDC Parks division said yesterday.

Proposed bills authorizing the MDC to buy the sports arena and hockey rink met with no opposition at a hearing of the state's Metropolitan Affairs Committee yesterday morning.

States Senotor Philip f. Bowker, chairman of the Committee, expects final action on the bills some time next week. In the meantime, representatives of the MDC will inspect the old rink on St. Botolph St. to determine the extent of necessary repairs. Committee action will wait on their report.

MDC engineers are building an experimental rink with the new freezing equipment in Blue Hills. If it is successful, a number of them may be built around the city, Fink said.