By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
ROCKFORD — The Rockford Park District marked a milestone Thursday in its efforts to bring the downtown Riverview Ice House back to life.
Concrete was poured Thursday on the main ice rink at the facility, 324 N. Madison St. That comes after months of work to install several components of a new refrigeration system and new piping and insulation in the floors of both the studio rink and the main ice rink at the facility. The concrete floors on the studio rink have already been poured and are curing.
“That’s the culmination of about three months worth of work — a lot of piping going into the ground to make this happen,” said Mark Rasmussen, chief operating officer for Apex Facility Solutions, which is leading the construction project.
More news: Official shortage creates scheduling headaches for Rockford area high school sports
Renovations for the $8.7 million project began in early April. The 46-year-old facility was on its last legs largely because of a faulty and obsolete refrigeration system that was held together by a patchwork of fixes.
“You’re taking a facility that was literally on its deathbed and you’re reviving it and making it into an asset for the community again that can be used for decades into the future,” Rasmussen said.
The district nearly shuttered the facility because of the high cost of the required fixes. But a grassroots group called Save Riverview Ice House fought to save it and helped fund the fixes.
Heather and Peter Provenzano, who runs the military supply chain company SupplyCore, will donate $1 million over 10 years for the project. State Sen. Steve Stadelman, who toured the construction site Thursday, secured a $2.5 million state grant to help fund the project.
“More important than the project is just the excitement of all the people who rallied together to help,” said Jay Sandine, executive director of the Rockford Park District. “We wouldn’t have been here today if we didn’t get help.”
Timeline to completion
Rasmussen said the project is now about 70% done. The ice can be installed about 30 days after the concrete, meaning skating could return to Riverview before the end of the year. But that depends on safe access for patrons during construction.
“We want to make sure we keep it safe for anyone who would come in and use the facility,” Rasmussen said.
More news: Rockford School Board called on for answers after video of officer slamming student
Upgrades include a new ammonia refrigeration system that replaces the obsolete R22, or Freon, system, which was also considered potentially harmful to the environment. The equipment for that system is in place: pumps, motors and compressors will be hooked up next week.
There are also upgrades to the locker rooms, restrooms, concession, HVAC, lighting and other aesthetic fixes.
“The refrigeration system we would like to have done by the end of the year,” Rasmussen said. “We would like to have the locker rooms and the aesthetics done by the end of the year, but probably sometime in January is more likely.”
Meanwhile, all leagues and programs have been relocated to Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park. The district also had to cancel this session of its popular Junior IceHogs program, although that is expected to return in January. BMO Harris Bank Center has also made its ice, where the Rockford IceHogs play, available when possible to keep up with the demand while Riverview is out of commission.
“There’s no good time to do this project, because the skating season right now is literally 12 months out of the year,” Sandine said. “A little bit of sacrifice from the skating community is going to be well worth it. They’re going to love it come January.”
Fast facts | Riverview renovation progress
- Studio rink: new piping, insulation and concrete. Walls have been painted.
- Mechanical room: Old refrigeration system has been removed. New equipment has been installed. Pumps, motors, compressors and other components will be installed next week. New paint and doors along with new piping overhead and in the floor are installed.
- Main rink: All piping and insulation is installed and concrete is being poured. Painting and new dasher boards will take place after the concrete has cured
- Additional fixes: New hot water heaters have been installed. New sanitary line installed, and new rubber flooring will be installed in the lobby toward the end of renovations.
- Locker rooms: New expansion walls have been constructed for the east locker rooms. A new concrete deck for the roof of the expansion will be installed next week. Entrance doors to the east locker rooms have been cut, as well as the doorways for the showers, for all five locker rooms.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.