Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!
I would be interested in the long version.
The Ice played for years at the Pepsi Coliseum at the Fairgrounds. But after the state fair concert tragedy - where a few were killed, IIRC - the state & city decided to renovate the Pepsi so it could better hold concerts inside. And, truth be told, the building needed the work.
Well, the Ice didn't always get along with the management. So, during this two-year renovation stretch, the state decided to seek bids for a hockey tenant. And, by most accounts, it appears it was a fait accompli that a minor pro team would get the lease, not the Ice.
In the past two seasons, the Ice have split time between the Pan Am Center, which is a youth rink downtown with under 2000 seats, and the Conseco Fieldhouse, where the Pacers play. Not ideal, but it worked.
Well, now, the Pan Am building (and the hotel above) are being worked on and is unavailable. Apparently there aren't enough good dates at Conseco, and the Ice haven't found another suitable home. They pitched played in Port Huron Mich for a year, and a few other solutions. But nothing could be worked out. The Ice didn't fold, but a dispersal draft was held as the team goes on hiatus for at least a season, likely two.
The owners are looking for options, presumably for building 3000--to-4000 seat building. Why they just didn't do that before, I'm not sure.
It's too bad, because the Ice have won a couple of playoff titles and were a solid organization at developing talent and coaches.
The team had been looking at options until just about three weeks ago, so that's apparently put the schedule makers behind. It's a June or July thing anyway, so hopefully soon.
