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Blackhawks' Practice Rink, Open for Public Use, OK'd by Plan Commission

By Ted Cox | January 21, 2016 6:36pm
 The Blackhawks plan to share the ice at their new practice center with the public to grow the game in Chicago.
The Blackhawks plan to share the ice at their new practice center with the public to grow the game in Chicago.
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Chicago Blackhawks

CITY HALL — The Blackhawks' plan to construct a new practice rink on the old Malcolm X College site, which also will be open for community use, was cleared Thursday by the Plan Commission.

"This is not going to be something that is going to be used all the time by the team," said architect Kyle Wedl of the HOK firm that designed the building, which will have two rinks, one with a little more privacy for the NHL team's practices.

According to Pete Hassen, the Hawks' senior executive director of marketing, it will serve "children of all income levels," starting with the 60,000 kids a year involved in Chicago Blackhawks Charities outreach.

 Blackhawk Chairman Rocky Wirtz told the Plan Commission the rink would benefit the Hawks, the community and the growth of hockey.
Blackhawk Chairman Rocky Wirtz told the Plan Commission the rink would benefit the Hawks, the community and the growth of hockey.
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DNAinfo/Ted Cox

Chairman Rocky Wirtz told the Plan Commission the rink would benefit not just the team, but the city and the growth of hockey here. Former Hawk Jamal Mayers, now a community liaison, said the team is dedicated to reducing the high cost of taking up the sport, both in equipment and in paying for ice time.

The project was announced last July by Wirtz and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The Hawks will pay $50 million for the structure, to be finished late next year, along with paying market rate for the real estate at 1801 W. Jackson Blvd., at the time estimated at $27 million.

The project involves no public financing or the use of Tax Increment Finance district funds.

"They're not getting anything from the public, but this is gonna have a great public benefit," said Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th).

According to Hassen, the team will bus in groups of kids from Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Park District. The ice rinks will be open to general community use when the Hawks aren't on the ice.

"This is exactly how you grow as a city," said Park District Supt. Mike Kelly, who cheered the plan. He added that the Hawks "are going back to investments" in the city and called the rink "a great way for the Blackhawks to show their commitment to the city."

The project was tied to a Rush University Medical Center "academic village" planned at the former Malcolm X site, and both passed the commission by a 10-0 vote.

The Hawks, of course, will also practice at their new rink, when their United Center home ice is unavailable.

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