In what was perhaps the best kept secret in all of Junior Hockey, the USHL Board of Governors gave their stamp of approval to site plan designs for Lyceum Park & Pavilion in Indianapolis Indiana, clearing the way for a return of the Indiana Ice to the USHL.
While construction has yet to begin, Paul Skjodt Owner of the USHL franchise, has an option to develop the proposed property that lasts through the better part of 2016.
The site plan calls for a multi use facility with the main ice arena seating approximately 5000.
Sources within the USHL said there is tremendous support for the return of the Indiana Ice, and that Skjodt reportedly has donors lined up to cover a portion of the development costs.
Those same sources informed TJHN that the project would take approximately 18 to 24 months to be ready for the team to return, but it would be possible to see them back for the 2016-2017 season.
Estimated costs for the entire project when complete rage from 20 to 25 million dollars. Significant contributions will have to be made from private funding sources in order to move the project forward in what would be a small window opening to see the Ice return for 2016.
TJHN will update this story as it develops.
Joe Hughes
