We’re getting more ice!
From the Commercial Appeal
Civic Center expansion OK’d
Growth plans include hotel, more ice rinks
By Yolanda Jones
April 20, 2007
A major expansion of the DeSoto Civic Center that includes plans for a hotel, additional ice rinks and a convention hall got the green light from tourism officials Thursday night to move forward.
“We as a group need to say now is the time to expand the facility and take that step to move it along,” said Chuck Roberts, chairman of the county Convention and Visitors Bureau’s board during its meeting at the center. “We have documented proof that there is a need for the expansion.”
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That is why he asked the board to spend $5,000 to hire Southaven architect Doug Thornton to map out concrete plans for the expansion, including costs of all the projects.
Thornton’s job would be to locate a site for a hotel at the center and look at the addition of one or two ice rinks to the one that is already at the center.
The additional ice rinks were good news to youth ice hockey parents who attended the meeting.
“Right now we have to fight for time to get on the ice after the RiverKings finish up,” said Hernando parent Mitch McLain, whose three sons play in the Memphis Youth Hockey league. “The expansion is good news about the center, but we are really excited about the plans for additional sheets of ice.”
Read the entire article here
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I for one couldn’t be happier. It was so great to see that vote pass. I’ll ask today for a copy of the minutes to see if I can’t post them here as well. There was one no vote from Clinton Nichols, and he didn’t say why, but everyone else voted yes, and those of us that went had a hard time not grinning ear to ear when they did. They even gave us the opportunity to speak, and Mitch McClain thanked them for their commitment to move forward with this. Thanks a million to the other parents that came and a special thanks to Chuck Roberts and the rest of the board for taking this so seriously, and working to get our kids some ice!! ~Chris
