Riverview Ice House Reopens
Riverview Ice House Reopens; Celebrating Major Renovations to a 48-Year-Old Ice Facility Thanks to Outside Capital and Operational Funding Support
ROCKFORD, IL – The Rockford Park District held a news conference Wednesday to officially reopen Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison Street, Rockford.
Riverview Ice House is 48-years-old and major repairs were needed in order to keep the facility open as the former refrigeration system and required components needed to run the system would have become obsolete. Roughly $9 million has been invested in Riverview Ice House to completely replace the mechanical/refrigeration system, hockey boards, and glass, and complete additional renovations needed throughout the facility.
In 2021, the Park District announced that a sustainable revenue stream was needed to help offset the heavy tax subsidy needed to operate two ice facilities - Riverview Ice House, and Carlson Ice Arena in Loves Park. Results from a community-wide survey in 2018 revealed that community members wanted fewer tax dollars going to more individual benefit facilities such as ice facilities. The Rockford Park District has used that feedback to prioritize limited operational and capital dollars, and continues working to reduce its footprint and free up resources to invest more in community-wide benefit areas such as neighborhood parks, priority locations such as Lockwood Park and Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park, playgrounds, youth programs, paths, and trails.
The Park District paid for nearly $6 million of renovation costs by taking out a bond to pay for the capital needs over a period of time. Several public/private stakeholders also came forward to financially support keeping Riverview Ice House open.
“Riverview Ice House is more than just a place to skate and play hockey. Improvements made on the inside and outside of this building make this facility state of the art, energy efficient, and a place where the Rockford IceHogs can play for the first time in decades. We appreciate the public and private stakeholders who formed the Save Riverview group and advocated heavily for this facility to remain open for future generations to enjoy and to continue serving as an economic driver for downtown Rockford,” said Rockford Park District Executive Director Jay Sandine.
Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman led efforts to secure an Illinois Capital Grant for $2.5 million, and later secured an additional $250,000 grant to renovate Riverview Ice House.
"Riverview Ice House needed to stay open as an important component of downtown Rockford's commercial, residential and economic mix and for the families who have enjoyed a centrally located ice facility for nearly 50 years. Economic growth of the entire region depends on the strength of Rockford's urban core, and I was committed to the state making a substantial commitment of funds to the public-private partnership that will keep Riverview's doors open for many years to come,” said Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman.
Heather and Peter Provenzano will generously provide $1,000,000 ($100,000 per year over ten years) to be used to help offset the tax subsidy utilized to run Riverview Ice House.
“So many experiences and memories have been created for skaters and their families on and off the ice both inside Riverview and at the many establishments and amenities nearby over nearly 50 years. Heather and I are so pleased that will continue to be the case for another 50 years! Riverview Ice House means so much to the families that skate here, and to the overall downtown experience in Rockford,” said Peter Provenzano, Save Riverview Ice House.
In honor of the Provenzano family’s generous support for Riverview Ice House, the District started a charitable fund in the Rockford Park District Foundation named the “Provenzano Family Skating Fund.” The fund will provide financial support to area youth who want to skate, and will help cover participation costs, equipment needs, travel expenses, and outreach. The Provenzano family announced that they are committed to a matching gift of $25,000 in the hopes that other community members will pledge their support. Anyone interested in giving to the “Provenzano Family Skating Fund” can donate online at www.rpdfoundation.org.
"Decades after Riverview Ice House opened its doors and arms to the Rockford Region in 1975, it has opened them again - refreshed and renewed," said Jay Graham, Save Riverview IceHouse Co-Chair. "Thanks to a remarkable amount of hard work, generosity and collaboration among so many, millions more memories will be made here. More fun will be had. And many more athletes will find themselves and discover their potential. October 4 will be a happy day in Downtown Rockford!"
The District also received financial support from the Smith Charitable Foundation and the Koch family to go toward Riverview Ice House operations.
The Rockford Park District began renovations to Riverview Ice House on Monday, April 4, 2022 .
Phase 1: Design of the building renovations, construction of the ice system mechanicals, and ice rink amenities (dasher boards, glass, concrete base floors, etc.) for both rinks inside Riverview Ice House. Additional upgrades to the stormwater and sanitary systems, sound system, fire alarm system, and new sprinkler heads throughout the building.
Phase 2: New expanded locker rooms with showers and restrooms in each, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and construction management.
Phase 3: Additional renovations are currently taking place thanks to an additional $250,000 state grant. This includes restroom renovations, painting, additional new flooring, west locker room improvements (flooring, windows framed in with drywall, ventilation and painting), some new glass in exterior windows, tuckpointing, and other exterior wall repairs and landscaping.
Design consultants/contractors for Riverview Ice House renovations:
292 Design Group
All American Arena Products
Apex Facility Solutions, LLC
Automatic Fire Systems, Inc.
B32 Engineering Group, Inc.
Ceroni Piping
Fehr Graham Engineering & Environmental
Helm Group
Nelson-Rudie & Associates, Inc.
Rink-Tek International, Inc.
Scandroli Construction Company
Sccurto Cement Construction
Troy Lee Excavating
Wilson Electric Co.