Bill Foley continues to push towards his goal of getting an NHL franchise in Las Vegas, and is now zeroing in on locations for the prospective team’s practice rink.
He’s also got a certain style in mind.
Foley said he hopes to gain approval from [Clark County] in January and begin construction in June. He has a vision for what the facility would be as he said it would be similar to the new Chicago Blackhawks practice facility that will break ground next month.
The Blackhawks’ facility will be 125,000 square feet and house two NHL-sized 200-by-85 feet ice sheets, sports medicine and strength and conditioning areas, locker rooms and meeting rooms. It will also be used to grow youth hockey in the Chicagoland area. The cost, which will be $50 million, is being paid for by the team.
This past July, the ‘Hawks announced plans for their new practice facility and community ice center, which will be located across from the United Center. Construction is expected to begin in 2016 with an estimated completion date for sometime in ’18.
Currently, the ‘Hawks practice at the United Center, or their rental space at Johnny’s IceHouse West.
As for the Las Vegas version, the Review-Journal reports Foley’s looking at “at least two different sites along Interstate 215" for a practice facility, adding he’s “been working with Clark County to get everything in order to approve his request for proposal on the land.”
In the same piece, Clark County commissioner Steve Sisolak said he sent a letter to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about his plans to work with Foley, noting Bettman “was very complimentary.”
