Rockford Park District Executive Director Jay Sandine thanks Riverview Ice House supporters on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, during an event to celebrate supporters and mark the next steps in renovating the facility. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current

ROCKFORD — Design work will begin this week on renovations to the Riverview Ice House, a downtown hockey and skating facility that faced closure a year ago as the Rockford Park District wrestled with declining revenues and expensive fixes needed at the building.

Apex Facility Solutions, SBC, will spend the next two days gathering input from key users of the facility to begin the design. Rockford Park District Executive Director Jay Sandine expects construction to start in spring.

Construction will cost about $6 million, with $2.5 million in funding coming from a state capital grant.

“I want Riverview Ice House to remain an important tourism destination for our region, a vital economic anchor for our urban core and a popular recreation option for families,” said state Sen. Steve Stadelman, who helped secure the grant. “We’re at the tipping point for downtown Rockford to be a gathering spot for economic development throughout the region, and the saving of Riverview is an important first step.”

Park District representatives gathered with local dignitaries and other Riverview Ice House supporters Tuesday outside the facility to thank them for their efforts to prevent the building from being shuttered and celebrate the next steps toward renovation.

Among those who fought to keep the ice house open were Heather and Peter Provenzano, who will donate $1 million over 10 years to help offset the tax dollars spent operating the facility. In honor of the family’s support, the Park District has launched a new charitable fund called the Provenzano Family Skating Fund that will exist in perpetuity. The fund will help youth cover the costs of participating in hockey or figure skating, including expenses for travel and equipment.

The Provenzanos are donating an additional $25,000 toward the fund to help get it started. You can donate online at rpdfoundation.org or by texting SKATING to 50155.

Peter Provenzano, Jay Graham and others joined together last year to start the grassroots Save Riverview Ice House group. Their work helped convince the Park District to change course and keep the facility open. Sandine said it’s an inspiring story that came out of an otherwise brutal 2020.

“In 2020 there was a lot of terrible things, but in that chapter they’re going to see a beautiful story about some really incredible, committed people who came and helped out their park district and helped save Riverview Ice House,” Sandine said.

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Jay Graham, a member of the Save Riverview Ice House group, jokes with Rockford Park District Executive Director Jay Sandine as he walks to the podium Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, to make remarks during a news conference about renovating the facility. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Riverview hosts thousands of hockey and figure skaters each year and doubles as a practice facility for the IceHogs, the Blackhawks AHL affiliate, when needed.

“There are current Chicago Blackhawks that have played here. There are current IceHogs that have played here and there are future Blackhawks and IceHogs that will now play here as well,” said Ryan Snider, president of business operations for the IceHogs.

Professional hockey is part of the ice house’s legacy, as is its connection to Janet Lynn, the 1972 Olympic figure-skating bronze medalist who trained and performed at Riverview.

“She is very dear and near to all of our figure-skating hearts, and so we’re excited to be able to be down here, honoring her legacy in a nice modern, updated facility,” said Jennifer Fleming, president of the Rockford Skating Club.

The 46-year-old ice house has operated beyond its functional life span, Park District officials say, in large part because the existing refrigeration system is becoming obsolete.

Phase one of the renovations include design, construction of the ice system mechanicals and ice rink amenities such as dasher boards, glass and concrete floor bases for both rinks inside Riverview.

The second phase involves painting, flooring, locker rooms, restrooms, concessions, windows, roofing, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, lighting and landscaping.

“This is more important than just a simple ice facility. This is a huge impact to downtown Rockford,” Mayor Tom McNamara said. “This is a big deal for our entire downtown, our business community and the more and more residents that are moving into our downtown.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.

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