David Stone
Founder & Euro Editor
Navigating Apps with Changes in Memory: Join Our Study
December 2, 2025
Weill Cornell Medicine seeks older adults with mild memory loss for a study on improving navigation apps. Participation is valuable,...
Move Fast. New, Higher Sportspark Membership Rates Are Coming
RIOC’s new membership rates for Sportspark promise improved financial stability, providing affordable pricing for early sign-ups while supporting local community enhancements and services.
Three Ways RIOC Can Fix Its Broken Finances Right Now
RIOC’s broken finances, a result of lack of commitment and inexperienced management, have led to catastrophic fiscal mismanagement. From Sportspark’s financial blunders to underfunded Red Bus system, the need for financial reforms is evident. With unclear leadership and careless decision-making, the future of RIOC’s financial health is uncertain.
RIOC’s Technological Advancements for Sportspark and Beyond
Roosevelt Island’s Youth Center and Sportspark underwent major multimedia upgrades, enhancing engagement and information sharing. Elite Design Systems successfully completed an extensive island-wide project with Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. Despite challenges, the effective management team achieved significant positive impact. The new technology infrastructure positively impacted all departments, essential for powerful functionality.
When Shelton Haynes Got Sportspark Right But It Was All Wrong
Before being suspended, RIOC President/CEO Shelton J. Haynes announced that Sportspark membership had exceeded 1,000. That was inaccurate. Membership was even higher and stands at 2,150 today. That’s good news, even though it’s not enough. by David Stone The Roosevelt…
Sportspark: Before You Go, Read the Fine Print Very Carefully
“Read the fine print,” was the message we got from a local mom alarmed over what RIOC demands for anyone using Sportspark. We didn’t get around to it though until they started pushing their Roosevelt Island 3 V. 3 Basketball…
Sportspark Inside – Shiny, Slick and New But Limited on Roosevelt Island
The Sportspark inside tours commenced immediately after the ribbon-cutting last Friday. Discarding a calendar of intimate tours, RIOC President/CEO invited everyone present to line up at the entrance. by David Stone The Roosevelt Island Daily News When Roosevelt Islanders finally…
As Sportspark Re-Opens, Thank Those Who Made It Happen
Later this morning, Sportspark re-opens with an 11:00 a.m. ceremony that already appears to be a dud. After RIOC President/CEO Shelton J. Haynes’s aborted effort at evolving the facility from a community athletic center to a profit center, the state…
Sportspark Ribbon-Cutting: RIOC Divisiveness Strikes Again
No matter who gets kicked out, the scourge stays. RIOC divisiveness strikes another sour note, much like they did with the Hope Memorial in 2021. Sewing seeds of elitism, they invited only “…valued representatives of our community.” All Roosevelt Islanders…
Sportspark Reopening Now Set But Team RIOC/Haynes Screws Up Again
Under the hood in the Sportspark Reopening, RIOC President/CEO Shelton J. Haynes took a painful pummeling from Roosevelt Islanders and their elected officials. Forced to reduce resident fees by nearly 80%, Team RIOC passively lashed out at them. While it’s…
Not So Fast. Haynes & Hochul Have Not Rescinded Sportspark Fees
Careless reporting, posted elsewhere on social media, claims that RIOC “rescinded” the new, unaffordable Sportspark member fees. That’s not true, and closer reading shows that this may be just a stall, That’s because the ever-bumbling but seldom-seen RIOC CEO Shelton…
David Stone
Founder & Euro Editor