Work starts tomorrow on a new practice facility for the Chicago Wolves. Where? About 6-7 blocks from my house! Hoffman Estates approved it last night night - dual NHL-sized ice-skating rinks in a 90,000-square-foot addition to the 35,000-square-foot Blackhawk Community Center. Going to be very cool next September/October when we can walk to a pre-season game!

Hoffman Estates backs Wolves' plan By Kimbriell Granderson Daily Herald Staff Writer Posted October 14, 2003

A proposed community skating rink and Chicago Wolves practice facility scored with Hoffman Estates officials Monday night.

But those who oppose the project, many of whom live adjacent to where the skating rink would be located, vowed to form a political action committee.

"It's not all over," said Tom Rehwald, one of the residents spearheading the opposition.

Rehwald and his wife, Rae Ann, said their next move is to form a group to replace park and village board members who supported the project.

"The community has said the Blackhawk (Community Center) location of this project is inappropriate," Rae Ann Rehwald said.

She and others contend the building is too large for the site and that the project will add too much traffic and noise.

"(It will be a) harmful impact on the neighbors. Then why would you vote in favor of these ice rinks?" she asked. "What about the negative emotional and stress impact on the community?"

At its meeting tonight, the park district board is expected to approve bids for mass grading of the site, utilities and the refrigeration system, said park district Director Dean Bostrom.

Work is officially expected to begin Wednesday. Within the week, expect to see construction fencing go up and some light polls come down. Mass grading equipment is expected on the site Monday, Bostrom said.

The project will continue through winter and is expected to be open by September 2004.

The park board is proposing the $12.5 million project in partnership with the Wolves. The facility is to be built at the Blackhawk Community Center at 1685 W. Higgins Road.

The 90,000-square-foot addition is proposed for the 35,000-square-foot facility. The addition will be located on the southwest corner of the property, adjacent to the community center.

The dual NHL-sized ice-skating rinks will accommodate 785 spectators, as opposed to the 900 seats that were originally proposed, with 525 seats in the competition rink and 260 in the recreation rink. Nine hockey and figure skating locker rooms will be built, along with a locker room for the Wolves. There also will be a concession stand, party rooms and skate rental area.

The Wolves will continue to play games at Allstate Arena in Rosemont.