A $3.7 million demolition overhaul of the Martha’s Vineyard Arena got under way last month and was quickly halted by the Oak Bluffs building inspector when it was discovered that the project had no permits.

Demolition work began March 20 but was halted three days later.

Mark Lovewell

Demolition work began March 20 but was halted three days later.

Mark Lovewell

Building inspector Mark Barbadoro told the Gazette this week that work began at the ice rink on March 20 and was halted three days later following a site visit.

“When I went out there, I verified there was work going on and they didn’t have permits for any of it, so I placed a stop work order,” Mr. Barbadoro said.

The 40-year-old community ice rink will be rebuilt from the ground up using money from a private fundraising campaign that was completed early this year thanks to a $1 million grant from MVYouth.

But first proper building permits must be obtained and review may be required by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.

Mr. Barbadoro referred the project to the commission on March 17, three days before demolition began.

Arena capital campaign was completed early this year thanks to a major grant from MVYouth.

Mark Lovewell

Arena capital campaign was completed early this year thanks to a major grant from MVYouth.

Mark Lovewell

In an email to the Gazette, arena board president Geoghan Coogan said the blunder was the result of a miscommunication with the town.

“The arena had a simple miscommunication with the town regarding applicable permits necessary for the initial demolition of the arena,” Mr. Coogan wrote. “That is what necessitated the town to issue the stop work order. We’ve worked with the town to resolve that miscommunication and don’t foresee any further issues moving forward.”

Contractors on the project have since received a permit to rebuild the concrete slab and refrigeration system that will lie beneath the ice surface. Mr. Barbadoro said that work is considered a replacement of the system that was already there.

But the rest of the expansion and new construction is on hold pending a green light from the MVC. The commission will hold a public hearing on April 13 to decide whether the project merits a full review as a development of regional impact (DRI). The original DRI for the rink dates to 1976 when the recently gutted facility was built.

New building plans on record with the commission aim to stay generally within the same footprint save a small expansion of the area that now houses the lobby and pro shop, and a new, 1,125-square-foot multipurpose room intended for parties and functions.