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Blackhawks to Build New Practice Center on Site of Malcolm X College

By Ted Cox | July 30, 2015 3:44pm | Updated on July 30, 2015 4:12pm
 The Chicago Blackhawks are building a new practice center they intend to share with the public.
Chicago Blackhawks Community Center
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UNITED CENTER PARK — The Blackhawks are getting their own long-desired practice facility on the Near West Side site of what is currently Malcolm X College, and city residents are expected to benefit.

With the college moving into a new building just to the north in January, the city is clearing way for the Stanley Cup champion Hawks to divvy up the Malcolm X site, 1900 W. Van Buren St., with Rush University Medical Center.

The Hawks will build their own $50 million community practice center, which will have two regulation-size ice rinks. The Hawks intend to make ice time available to city residents as they grow the sport even more than they have with their three Stanley Cup championships over the last six seasons.

 Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz and Mayor Rahm Emanuel share a laugh at Thursday's announcement about the team's new practice center.
Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz and Mayor Rahm Emanuel share a laugh at Thursday's announcement about the team's new practice center.
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DNAinfo/Ted Cox

"Hockey's future is dictated by the ability of kids to get on the ice," said Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz. He confirmed in March that the team was looking to build its own practice facility and leave behind Johnny's IceHouse on the Near West Side, with plans to share it with the community.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) said at a news conference at Malcolm X College on Thursday that the Hawks had rejected other locations before accepting the offer of land on the campus, located along the Eisenhower Expressway just south of the Hawks' home base at the United Center.

"They put the puck in the goal this time," said Burnett, who credited the Hawks with being tough negotiators.

According to the mayor's office, the city will pay the $8 million cost to demolish the college, while the Hawks and Rush will pay market value for the land, which was set by an appraiser at $26.7 million.

Some $2.4 million of the price tag, however, will be paid for through unspecified "community benefits" from Rush and the Hawks, officials said.

The Hawks will build a 125,000-square-foot practice center and parking lots that will serve both players and residents using the ice there. Emanuel insisted there would be "no public support" for the building.

Rush is still formulating plans, but is expected to use the site primarily for academics, in conjunction with the new Malcolm X College, which has taken on a specialty in the medical field.

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