City Council Gives Vote of Support to MetroCentre Renovation Project

Rockford, IL - Rockford aldermen unanimously passed an unbinding resolution to fund the $20 million MetroCentre renovation project with help from Winnebago County. Its a letter of intent to show the county and Chicago Blackhawks the city is moving forward even though its intergovernmental agreement isnt yet finalized. "We just wanted to send a message to the board, we`re serious about it, we want to partner with them," says Ald. Dan Conness (D-14). "Its the first step for city." "We`re very appreciative of the city council to show that kind of enthusiasm for the MetroCentre renovation," says Gary Marzorati, a member of the MetroCentre Authority. But the decision didnt come easy. "There`s still a lot of loose ends that need to be tied up," says Ald. Jeff Holt (D-11). The Planning and Development Committee took an hour and a half to decide whether to voice support for the resolution. The resolution has no mention of which hockey team would play there, the current IceHogs or a new American Hockey League team. That worries some aldermen because the catalyst for the MetroCentre renovation project is being the home of the Chicago Blackhawks AHL team. "What happens if this doesn`t bring the Blackhawks affiliate team to Rockford?" says Holt. "What do we do then because we still need to make improvements." They were told theres no fallback plan. But the obvious guess is the IceHogs. "They want to fall back on the Ice Hogs, but after all is said and done I dont know what the owners position is going to be seeing as how they were treated throughout this whole ordeal," says Ryan Washatka, President and General Manager of the IceHogs. The ordinance to sell $20 million in bonds to fund the MetroCentre renovations could go before the city council as soon as next week, as well as an intergovernmental agreement with Winnebago County. An agreement has not been reached yet between the MetroCentre and the IceHogs. The improvements call for a new entrance, a permanent restaurant that will be open year round, club seats, luxury suites, and a VIP Club. The MetroCentre wants to attract the corporate market to Rockford.