Fifth Third Arena
Description[edit]
Located at 1801 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL, Fifth Third Arena serves as the practice facility for the Chicago Blackhawks. Although ensuring the Blackhawks' practice and training needs were met and exceeded was of major importance during the development and construction of this facility, 95% of the intended use of the arena was appointed to community-based initiatives. The facility plan provided for $3 million of community benefits in its first five years of operation. This state-of-the-art arena is home to youth and high school hockey clubs, elite level tournaments, and fundraising events. This community asset offers community programming, beginner hockey classes, adult hockey leagues, and public skate. From after-school programs to school field trips to providing educational opportunities for underprivileged and underserved Chicago youth, Fifth Third Arena's community programs are making a large impact in Chicago's Near West Side community.[1]
History[edit]
On July 29, 2015, the Chicago Blackhawks announced the organization's plan to build a $65 million, 125,000 square foot community hockey training center, that would also serve as the practice facility for the Blackhawks and visiting NHL teams.[2] MB Ice Arena opened to the public on November 21, 2017. After a merger between Fifth Third Bancorp and MB Financial Inc., the Blackhawks announced that the arena would be operating under a new name, Fifth Third Arena, beginning May 6, 2019.[3] The facility, which is located just two blocks from the Blackhawk's home ice at the United Center, rests on the site of the old Malcolm X College.[2] Since its opening in 2017, the arena has welcomed over 13,300 Chicago Public School students for learn-to-skate and STEM education sessions, served nearly 1,000 youth in the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation's after-school and summer programming, and hosted over 11,900 community members for public skate.[3]
Features[edit]
This 125,000 square-foot facility fully provides for the Blackhawks' practice and training needs through features such as athletic training rooms, a massive weight room, player's lounge, equipment storage space, and a skills studio room that allows players to perfect their shooting, passing, and stick handling skills. To serve not only the team, but also the community, the arena boasts the following amenities list:
- Two NHL-size 200-by-85 ice rinks
- Two multipurpose rooms overlooking the ice sheets (each can accommodate 40-45 people)
- Media room
- Executive Hockey Operations Suite
- Rooftop deck constructed on a green roof
- Great Hall with a customer service desk and access to both ice rinks
- Skate rental available for public skate and programming
- 12 private locker rooms and 10 rotating public locker rooms
- Bleachers for spectators
- Skill training room
- Full-service fitness center for group, team and personal training
- Basic hockey and skating supplies for sale at the front desk (tape, laces, mouth guards, etc.)
- Skate sharpening
- Food and beverage
- Full-service bar
- Concession stand
- Dunkin' Donuts
- Healthy vending options[1]
Events[edit]
In addition to hosting practices and training sessions for the Blackhawks, visiting NHL clubs, and local youth and adult clubs, as well as community youth programs, the arena has hosted numerous events for the Near West Side community. These events include the Blackhawks Safe Halloween, MB Financial's Operation Warm Winter Coat Distribution, a Girls in the Game learn-to-skate session, and many more.[3] The arena's two multipurpose rooms, rooftop deck, Executive Hockey Operations Suite, and media room have hosted birthday parties, baby showers, weddings, corporate meetings and events, team building activities, and other private or public functions.[4]
[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Project History & Amenities | Fifth Third Arena". www.fifththirdarena.com. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Skrbina, Paul. "MB Ice Arena will be more than just a Blackhawks practice facility". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "RELEASE: MB Ice Arena to become Fifth Third Arena". NHL.com. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
- ↑ "Events and Space | Fifth Third Arena". www.fifththirdarena.com. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
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