Timeline of Events

2015

RPD pledges $4M to Riverview Ice House upgrades.

Tues 08/27/2015 – Excerpts from an Article originally appearing in Northwest Quarterly

Riverview Turns 40

When businesses were abandoning downtown Rockford in the 1970s, city and park district leaders made a bold decision: build an indoor ice rink on the river. Guess what? It laid the groundwork for today’s renaissance.

Former Commissioner Julie Elliott and Ice Rink Committee Member:

“It was the first downtown destination for year-round recreation sports,” adds Elliott. “It was the catalyst for the MetroCentre, for the expansion of Burpee Museum. It was a safe, clean, family-oriented gathering place for the community. Riverview has encouraged development along the riverfront. The beauty of that setting is unmatched.”

Director Jay Sandine:

“Riverview is a home away from home for most of our customers. Kids start taking skating lessons at age 3, and then become figure skaters or hockey players. As a staff, we enjoy watching the success of a child, and getting to know his or her family. We have parents here until 10 p.m. four nights a week. They might bring our Zamboni driver coffee or dinner. It’s pretty special.”

I talk about Riverview’s success every time I’m meeting with tournament directors,” Sandine says. “It’s a big change, for example, to move volleyball from the Indoor Sports Center in northeast Rockford to downtown. They don’t know what to expect, and it’s easy to fall into those misperceptions about safety or lack of parking.”

“Riverview is a wonderful example of the good things going on in the downtown, which has positioned itself for even greater things in the future,” he adds. “When I started working here, downtown was quiet. Now there’s City Market, Prairie Street Brewhouse, the boat and trolley, and soon the sports complex. It’s exciting, and Riverview is in the middle of it.”

“We’re looking at all programs, equipment, capital, trends and other ice facilities in the industry,” Sandine says. “When Riverview was built in 1975, the only revenue stream came from skating-related activities and amenities. Carlson, however, was designed to receive alternative revenue to support its bottom line through an arcade, tae kwon do and the popular Sapora Playworld. We need to look at those types of revenue opportunities and private partnerships when we revitalize Riverview.”

There’s no public debate that Rockford needs a third sheet of ice; the only question has been where. “In our opinion, the best long-term situation is to add another sheet at Carlson,” Sandine says. “It was designed to hold two sheets. At Riverview, we’re landlocked by the railroad and river.

Sandine estimates the cost will be about $13 million – $4 million at Riverview to renovate the locker rooms and bathrooms and $9 million at Carlson for similar renovations, along with adding another sheet of ice.

“I love going down to that old rink,” he says, wistfully. “It’s colder, the ice is harder, and there’s something special about going into that old locker room. But it’s time to make some much-needed changes. It’s time to start a new legacy.”

2016

Peter & Heather Provenzano pledge $3.4M to Riverview Ice House expansion.

Tues 04/26/2016 – Excerpts from an article originally appearing in The Rockford Register Star

Rockford Park District considers Riverview Ice House expansion

Expanding the downtown ice rink could draw hockey and figure skating competitions to town and propel a Madison Street makeover.

ROCKFORD — The Rockford Park District is considering a major expansion of the Riverview Ice House that would allow the facility to host hockey and figure skating competitions while better accommodating district skating programs and three dozen local hockey clubs.

Mayor Larry Morrissey said the prospect of adding a full-size sheet of ice to Riverview will trigger a larger conversation among Park District and city officials, residents, business owners and downtown advocates about how best to satisfy demand for downtown parking and redevelopment of the Madison Street corridor between the Morgan Street bridge and the YMCA on Y Boulevard.

If the Park District expands the footprint of the Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison St., it would eliminate more than 200 surface parking spaces outside the building. Hockey and skating aside, the lot is already in high demand during the summer thanks to the explosive popularity of Rockford City Market and Prairie Street Brewhouse.

“We’ve experienced more than a decade of very strong growth in our ice programs, particularly in our hockey programs, and that’s created quite a demand for us both at Carlson Ice Arena and Riverview Ice House,” said Jay Sandine, assistant executive director of the Park District.

“Right now, we’re in the very preliminary conversation phase about our ice facilities,” he said. “We have a huge need for another sheet of ice and, in the next year, we’re going to explore what that might look like. We’ll be talking to stakeholders, we’ll be doing some planning in terms of the needs of our ice facilities and what our programs should look like. And we’ll be doing a feasibility study to see what kind of expansion makes the most sense.”

Where that expansion occurs is not set in stone. For years it was a given that any ice facility expansion would happen at Carlson Ice Arena. The Loves Park facility, just north of the bustling East Riverside Boulevard corridor, has ample parking and room to expand. But Riverview has become the favored site among local skaters and hockey clubs, Sandine said.

“What we’re hearing is: Let’s keeping investing in downtown Rockford because there are really cool things happening here. Personally, I think people would be excited about being downtown. When you talk about wanting to take advantage of the Rock River, it’s Riverview. Given the cultural momentum, I think it should definitely be downtown.”

2017

Ice Facilities Committee formed, HVS consulting company hired.

2018

Ice Facilities Committee Outcome: Invest in downtown (options 1, 2 & 3), possibly with consolidated facilities but refurbished and expanded Riverview Ice House is preferred. Rockford Park District pledges to further engage stakeholders. See announcement below as well as Jay Sandine emails.

2018-2019

Rockford Park District tables discussion. Director Jay Sandine states the topic of ice facilities will soon return to RPD's #1 priority.

CURRENT SITUATION

Rockford Park District unilaterally decides to shutter Riverview despite the City’s and County’s recent investment in Sportscore II in Loves Park and its downtown Sports Factory, as well as the total estimated $1 billion public/private investment in downtown Rockford in the past 15 years. Rockford Park District now says it will convert UW Health Sports Factory for local rec center use only.

CORRESPONDENCE

A great deal of correspondence occurred between the Rockford Park District's Executive Director, Jay Sandine and Peter Provenzano, who served both as a member of the Ice Facilities Committee and a co-funder of a market feasibility study performed by HVS Chicago, a consulting company. Peter and Heather Provenzano also pledged $3.4 million to the Rockford Park District for the expansion of Riverview Ice House.

Mon 6/30/2014 - Jay Sandine to Peter

“I wanted to give you an update on the ice rink discussion in regards to Riverview Ice House and Carlson Ice Arena. Expand Carlson? Invest in RIH? Etc. As a former skater and new hockey Dad, downtown advocate and so on…I’d like to keep you involved along the way. We are busting at the seams in hockey and in figure skating, and are strategizing a visit to see Rocky Wirtz in Chicago. Exciting stuff.”

Thu 10/8/2015 - RPD President Ian Linnabary to Peter

“Thanks for taking the initiative to get us together to talk about this. Placing new ice facilities downtown makes good sense, and I’m glad you and LoRayne chose to advocate for it. The RPD has a well-deserved reputation for listening to its stakeholders and, unlike so many governmental entities, actually following through on their recommendations. I’m confident we can make your vision for Riverview a reality with some hard work and the necessary resources. I look forward to the challenge.”

Fri 10/16/2015 - Jay Sandine to stakeholders group including Peter that met at Prairie Street with architect

“I want to first thank Chris for the nice hospitality and meal the other night as we discussed potential opportunities at Riverview Ice House. I appreciate everyone’s passion for skating and for downtown. We are equally passionate about both. Since we’ve last met, the park district has asked Lindsey Peckinpaugh, architect from Sink Combs (lead on the Sportscore Downtown building) to produce a conceptual of an expanded Riverview campus. Lindsey’s firm specializes in ice facilities and have just completely a multi-sheet facility in the Denver area. She also did the conceptual for an expanded Carlson a few months back.”

Mon 1/18/2016 - Jay Sandine to Peter

“As you know, prior to your generous gift, the RPD Board and RPD Foundation Board voted on putting one extra sheet at Carlson and renovating the existing Riverview Ice House. This was the least expensive option that still got us one additional sheet. Tomorrow, we will be presenting a new concept, an expanded Riverview Campus. With that said, I was planning on bringing the Foundation report on the ice rinks and I’ll have 8 renderings blown up on easels showing the expansion concepts for both Riverview and Carlson as well as the Riverview renderings. I absolutely know which location that your passion and commitment of funds are tied to Pete. For process sake and being good public stewards, we probably need to present both options for consideration and the location where we have the most support and financial opportunity, we’ll attack vigorously. I would say we are off to an amazing start for an expanded Riverview campus thanks to you and Heather. I’m sure the community will feel the same.

How do you want to be involved tomorrow? Do you want to announce officially your donation? I’d love to have you present your vision from a Dad’s view, a player’s view, a community leader’s view, etc. I’d love to have you do that towards the beginning of the meeting. This is the start of your legacy with the park district so you better bring it large.”

9/30/2016 - Executive Director Tim Dimke to Mayor and Peter

Mayor Morrissey,

Thank you for participating in the lead project team to expand Riverview Ice House and continue our downtown momentum.

During our last committee meeting the team discussed and agreed that a reasonable budget for the study was $50,000 - $70,000. It would be good to have identified funding sources for at least $50,000 before we send out the RFP and conduct the interview process to select the most qualified firm. Funding pledged to date is as follows:

Pete and Heather Provenzano $10,000

RACVB $10,000

Rockford Park District $10,000

————————-

$30,000

With $30,000 pledged, there is one more request yet to respond. Can you assist with the remaining $20,000 to reach $50,000 pledged before the RFP is sent out? When the remaining request responds, we will be closer to our goal of $70,000.

Thu 08/11/2016 – Jay Sandine to Peter Provenzano

Tim and I went over the list of names for our recommended ice expansion committee. Can you please bless this list and add anyone else you feel needs to be on it? This will be our very top committee to guide the overall process. There will be ample sub committees throughout the feasibility study.

Please let me know if you are good with the list. Add whoever you want. Remember this is the top committee.

Mon 2/13/2017- Jay Sandine to Peter Provenzano

“Keeping you in the loop brother.”

(Excerpt from draft feasibility study) RPD

Considering the age of the facilities, although the buildings are relatively well maintained, there are basic improvements to building operating systems that should be implemented to keep the buildings functioning in an efficient and effective manner.

Fri 2/24/2017 - Tim Dimke to Committee

All,

I am pleased to say that sufficient funds have been raised ($50,000) to distribute a Request for Proposal for a most qualified firm to conduct an ice rink expansion feasibility study. The approximate timing for the study will most likely be:

· Distribute, evaluate, and hire most qualified firm (March to May 2017)

· Conduct study (June to September 2017)

· Board and public presentations of the study findings (October 2017)

The City of Rockford is underway with a corridor study involving the area from the YMCA to the Morgan Street Bridge. The city’s study will evaluate how parking needs would be met for a potential Riverview Ice House expansion. In addition, Matt Vitner from the City of Rockford has agreed to join our committee to assist in the whole process. Matt will assist with the coordination of the city’s corridor study. Matt has extensive experience with feasibility studies.

Mon 7/22/2018 – Rink Feasibility Study Results & Committee Recommendations

Our goal is to maintain the current number of sheets of ice which is 2.5. There is no specific location that has been identified and the District will begin to further engage the ice community regarding this third option.

Fri 7/27/2018 – Laurie Anderson to Committee

“At our preliminary results of the feasibility study meeting, our committee approved HVS going forward in the study to examine a couple of scenarios for our consideration. These scenarios were an indoor sheet of ice and an outdoor pavilion, in addition to an analysis of our current mechanical and ice systems which was performed by Stevens Engineers, Inc. The additional sheet of ice and expansion at Riverview would have a positive economic impact on our community and specifically the downtown area bringing new visitors to our community. However, either option indicated additional operational subsidy would be required in which with the current financial realities of the Park District , the District would not be able to take on at this point in time. The committee recommended the next steps which is to study the potential financial savings and operational efficiencies in consolidating the Ice House operations to one location, further engage the ice community and users including sharing the results of the study.”

Fri 09/21/2018 - Jay Sandine to Peter Provenzano

4 Rink Options are detailed in order of priority from the committee and accepted by the District

“We have four options for locations to consolidate our ice operations.

Riverview: Add one sheet and add the needed parking, renovate existing
New complex: Build a brand new complex with 2 1/2 sheets minimal
Joint complex: Build rink into another facility (YMCA, Library, etc.)
Carlson: Add a sheet and a 1/2 (if it fits) to Carlson property

“My preference and our team's preference is downtown and preferably on the river. We have been consistent with that message. I remember Tom Green at one of our meetings saying if we added sheets to Carlson that we'd be just another town with rinks off of the tollway. Having our rink complex downtown would be best for the overall community and long term I believe …….

Next steps:

You and I meet Tom and Frank and see what type of funding they can commit to either of the options (preference downtown).Any other stakeholders to meet to see if they will contribute financially (preference downtown).3. After these conversations, we should be able to clearly see our options moving forward”…..Jay Sandine

“The TOP COMMITTEE” was never reconvened.

In the Fall of 2018, just a couple months removed from dissemination of the committee’s recommendations, Jay Sandine indicates the rink consolidation is next in line as one of the top priorities.

Sun 11/28/2018 - Jay Sandine to Peter Provenzano

“Sounds good. I have one more taxing body (RVC) to secure tax abatements and the Six Flags deal will be official. Finalizing our 2019 budget on Dec 11. Once those items are done it’s go time on the rink consolidation project. It will be one of the top priorities for us.”

Mayor McNamara commits to a meeting request from Jay Sandine to discuss rink options as laid out in an email. A year and a half later and with no effort in between, a 5th option emerges in communications with Mayor McNamara and Peter Provenzano.

Mon 01/20/2020 - Jay Sandine to Peter Provenzano

“If money was not an issue…our preference would be to have this ice complex in Rockford, downtown, near or on the river. Our preference would also be to increase from the current 2 and ½ sheets we have at both locations to 3 full sheets.

We don’t want to be just another rink complex on the tollway like everyone else.

Great collaboration with downtown, local restaurants and breweries, support new hotels, etc.

Tie in events and participations with the IceHogs, BMO concerts, Davis Park, etc.

Our options in priority order…

Add one sheet to Riverview Ice House (preferably add one sheet and a half), add the needed parking lots for the new ice complex. Sell Carlson property.

Sell Riverview and Carlson properties and build a new complex downtown.

Add one sheet to Carlson Ice Arena (preferably add two full sheets) and sell the Riverview property.

Keep both current rinks and locations and invest in their repair and refurbishment.

Worst case scenario… forced to close one rink and keep the other open. (This is if we have to continue operating with the same property tax revenues, no increase in fee revenue and are unsuccessful with the TID).”

Mayor McNamara and Administrator Cagnoni committed to helping solve parking

Thu 09/10/2020 - Meeting between Peter, Jay Sandine, and Scott Olson(board president)

Other than brief phone calls & texts indicating they we ready to meet, no further discussions occurred until September 10th, 2020, at which point the Rockford Park District had printed and published their current position in the 2020 Action Plan.

Fri 09/11/2020 – Jay Sandine to Peter Provenzano (Thanks Badger)

“Thanks again for taking time to meet with Scott and I yesterday. We both appreciate your friendship more importantly and we also appreciate your support of the park district. This might be the most challenging time in the history of our organization right now and I’m thankful you understand that and the situation we are in. From day one we’ve been consistent with our intent that if money was not an issue, we’d prefer to have the consolidated ice rink downtown. We support your philosophy that the core of our community needs to be strong. The park district started that back in 1975 with the building of Riverview Ice House and it continues today with the investment in the Sports Factory, Nicholas Conservatory and our most popular recreation path. The problem that’s before us, is that we do not have the money and we do not have the time to continue exploring a downtown ice rink. We believe our only option at this point, is to move on from Riverview as an ice rink and add one sheet of ice at Carlson.”

Mon 09/14/2020 – Peter & Heather Provenzano to Jay Sandine

“We read your e-mail with great sadness. Sadness for our community and sadness regarding the process for how this decision was reached. Your organization publicly promotes broad based input in its decision making, yet when it comes to the decision to close Riverview Ice House there is little or no evidence we can point to that it was it was reached with broad-based consensus or even a spirit of inclusiveness. In fact, the decision seems to be coming from a place of scarcity and fear, not a commitment to a shared vision and collaboration. This is evident by the fact a committee you convened to review and support a consultants’ report regarding the Riverview Ice House issue hasn’t convened in years.

In your e-mail you suggest the idea to expand the Riverview Ice as Peter’s. This is quite troubling. The expansion of assets in a city’s core is the accepted best practice for strong cities across the country. The purpose of bringing this to the attention of the RPD was to educate RPD on best practices and to do what is right for the community – the whole community. The whole community includes our downtown core and our South and West sides. Best practices of the RPD should focus on the long-term benefit of every taxpayer dollar spent. A stronger city core benefits all of Rockford and the Rockford Region. Regionalism has to return to, and start at the heart of the Region for a successful and sustainable future.”

Mon 09/14/2020 – Board President Scott Olson to Peter & Heather Provenzano

“I believe that the recommendation that you saw went to print to soon. And it’s just that at this point, a recommendation. Ideally, the three of us should have met, then the committee to update the 2017 study and plans, then more public conversations. So you’re right, I don’t think that was handled well. Unfortunately the world coming to a standstill in February accelerated a whole lot of timelines for us.

I think now is the time to re-engage that committee. Actually, the time was yesterday but I’m not going to sit here and place blame on anyone. Every one of us could have called a meeting over the last few years to discuss. If the committee still wants the rink downtown, then we’ll need their help bridging that delta. It’s that simple. It’s going to take committee conversations with the mayor, aldermen, and other potential funding sources and it needs to happen now.”

Wed 09/16/2020 – Jay Sandine to Peter & Heather Provenzano

I don’t think you should have been surprised to see our recommendation last week based on the situation we are in, but I want to say this meeting shouldn’t have taken the place of a communication that should have happened to the entire committee. You are absolutely right about that and I apologize. On Monday, I got to meet with my organization for the first time in 10 months as we gathered safely at the music shell at Sinnissippi. I’ve been working all year trying to save our organization during some pretty challenging times and gathering with the ice rink committee wasn’t on my mind.

Again, I apologize that we didn’t reconvene the ice committee to have this conversation sooner. That is my fault and I take full responsibility for that. Between shutting down our organization on March 13, removing basketball rims from our parks, taping off playgrounds and having some extremely tough and important conversations with our black brothers and sisters at the park district, I missed that important communication. And it was important to me that we spent time with our employees first as Riverview is a small part of the many difficult choices and changes we need to make. I hope you understand Pete and accept my apology.

Thank you for everything you do for our community and for your commitments in the past and present. I’ve always thought you deserved more credit for your investments in this town Peter. I think I can speak on behalf of Scott when I say we appreciate you and Heather and all that you continue to do.

SAVE RIVERVIEW ICE HOUSE’s VIEW:

These are unacceptable options that have been arrived at in a vacuum. The District needs to cancel any intended forward progress on these two “recommendations” and immediately resume the abandoned community process. This must include reconvening the Ice Facilities Committee and engaging neglected stakeholders. This must also include the District keeping its commitment at the UW Health Sports Factory regarding its intended use as both a community rec center and a sports tourism asset.