by LOIS ELFMAN
Te plan is simple and at the same time enormous — to make the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) an internationally respected hub for ice sports. Figure skating, ice hockey, sled hockey, curling, synchronized skating, short track and more will take place under one roof (750,000 square feet) in the Bronx, N.Y. Olympic champion Sarah Hughes has been
involved in the project since its inception. She was approached a few years ago by banking ex- ecutive Kevin Parker, who was frustrated by the lack of ice time available to his two hockey-play- ing sons. “He took the initiative in actively looking for a place where he could build more rinks,” Hughes said. “Te initial plan was to build two rinks. Tose plans fell through, but he continued to search. When he saw the Kingsbridge Armory was vacant and had been for years, he brought in an architect to consult on design. Nine rinks fit within the armory perfectly without altering the exterior, which happens to be absolutely stun- ning. It was like it was meant to be. “Te largest ice rink facility right now is
in Blaine, Minn. Tey have eight rinks under two roofs. We will have nine rinks under one roof, making it the largest ice rink facility in the world.” Nothing so massive is simple. Although
A night-view rendering of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center offers an impressive look at this dynamic facility in the Bronx, N.Y.
the iconic Kingsbridge Armory had been vacant since 1996, prior to the KNIC plan being accept- ed, several developers submitted proposals for the site. KNIC got the nod as the city’s official choice, but there still have been many levels of approval to get through before building can com- mence.
A huge step happened in early November when the City Planning Commission unani- mously approved the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure application. Final approvals from the Bronx Borough Board and City Council are ex- pected to reach Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s desk before the end of his term. Hughes’ roles since the project’s inception
have been diverse. A huge component has in- volved community acceptance and engagement. “KNIC worked with the local community and community leaders to build a relationship since day one,” Hughes said. “Tat’s what I spent a lot of my time on as well — meeting people within the community, talking about skating, explaining to city officials how a community cen- ter that features ice rinks can help kids grow and learn skills that they can transfer from the ice to other areas of their lives.” Another vital member of the KNIC man- agement team is New York Rangers legend Mark Messier. His renown and the respect he com-
Olympic champion Sarah Hughes and hockey legend Mark Messier are two of the key people involved in the Kingsbridge National Ice Center project in New York.
mands have been significant in moving the proj- ect forward. “Mark Messier and I are looking to make KNIC a center of excellence for ice sports on a global level,” Hughes said. “We want every- one from around the world to want to come to Kingsbridge. “In addition to elite-level programming, general skating sessions and community pro- gramming, Mark and I will have our foundations there.” Hughes said this project has been an ex-
traordinary learning experience in everything from business to city politics to human interac- tions.
“One of the concerns was over building nine
ice rinks,” she noted. “People would ask, ‘Why do you want to build nine ice rinks in the Bronx when no one in the Bronx skates?’ Our answer was that no one in the Bronx is skating because there is nowhere to skate. We’re going to give
8 JANUARY 2014
PHOTO BY RYAN HUGHES
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68