🚧 Riverview Ice House Renovation
Project Update: October 13, 2022
Phase One of the project includes design of the building renovations, construction of the ice system mechanicals, and ice rink amenities (dasher boards, glass and concrete base floors, etc.) for both rinks inside Riverview Ice House. First two months of construction concentrated on demolition of all of the old refrigeration room, mechanicals, dasher boards, etc.
To date the following has been completed with Phase One:
Studio Rink - New piping, insulation, and concrete. Painting of walls complete.
Mechanical Room - Old refrigeration equipment is gone, and new equipment has been placed in the mechanical room. Pumps, motors, compressors, etc. will begin to be hooked up next week. New paint and doors in mechanical room along with all new copper and PVC piping overhead and in the floor.
Main Rink – All piping and insulation has been installed and inspections completed. Painting and new dasher boards and glass will take place after concrete has cured.
Additional Improvements - New hot water heaters have been installed. New sanitary line from mechanical room down the hallway into the lobby area where it was reconnected to an existing line, exiting south toward the parking lot. New rubber flooring will be installed in lobby.
The Rockford Park District began renovations to Riverview Ice House on Monday, April 4, 2022. All lessons, leagues, and programs have been relocated to Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park. This first phase of construction is expected to be completed by fall 2022.
Riverview Ice House Renovation Project Details: Riverview Ice House is 46 years old and well beyond its life span, with the current refrigeration system and required components needed to run the system becoming obsolete. Phase One of the project includes the 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. Phase Two will be completed at a later time and includes painting, flooring, locker rooms, restrooms, concessions, windows, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, lighting, exterior landscaping, and construction management.
Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman led efforts to secure an Illinois Capital Grant for $2.5 million, which will help cover almost half the costs needed to renovate Riverview Ice House. The District will cover the remaining $3.5 million needed for capital repair costs by taking out a bond to pay for the capital needs over a period of time.
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. In honor of the Provenzano family’s generous support for Riverview Ice House, the District has started a new 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 or text “SKATING” to 50155.
The District has also received financial support from the Koch family to go toward Riverview Ice House operations.
Questions: Contact Scott Burfoot, General Manager of Ice Facilities, 815-969-4071 or scottburfoot@rockfordparkdistrict.org