The best thing about memories is making them.

Kash Casalena

I want the ice rink to get saved because I like to play with my dad and his friends on the little rink. I have met all my new best friends playing hockey with the Jr Ice Hogs and now  Rockford Hockey Club. My name is Kash and I am 8 and I live in Rockford. 

Troy Mattila

It’s just a pile of bricks with a couple slabs of ice, really. Probably an expensive pile of bricks. But we can't divorce our structures from our experiences.

I spent what feels like every day of my childhood at Riverview Ice House. You’d pull over the trolley tracks and park, overlooking the river. If you’d get there early enough, you could catch the figure skaters getting off the ice while the sun was still rising. 

The lobby, to a child, was an expansive playground. You had the firepit that seemed built for tape-ball and shinny stick games (and horrible rug burns). You had rectangular seating areas that were apt for climbing, jumping, and hide-and-go-seek. And, of course, the arcade games. I still remember watching with awe as Mr. Kiddell would play the Indiana Jones pinball machine for hours, using every trick in the book to rack up points, rarely having to pull the “new ball” plunger shaped like the grip of a pistol. And I still can’t walk by a Galaga machine today without remembering the hours (and quarters) I spent playing while my dad coached the Icemen.

Of course, the real point of the Ice House, for me, was to be on the ice. Which I was. A lot. Every year, I’d get a pair of Scotty’s Ross’s hand-me-down skates, head down the hill from his house, and skate ‘til my feet bled. This is no exaggeration. In the summers, my dad would run hockey camps where I’d skate with every age group throughout the day. And If I ever wasn’t on the ice, I’d be behind the rink, shooting pucks at the pots and pans the coaches tied up to old hockey nets for target practice. 

During the regular season, I’d get there early to skate with my team, and stay all night to skate with whoever’d have me, then skate the late-night practice with the Icemen. I still think I remember the moment when Joe Sacksteder stopped letting me score and started trying to stop me. This was a big moment for a young kid. On the weekends, I would go to watch the Icemen in complete awe. To a child, those games might as well have been the NHL. 

And, for my worst memories: At my birthday party when I was skating behind the net in the defensive zone, and Don Walker, who was a grown adult man on the other team, called for the puck and I passed it to him. He laughed at me and scored against my team. I haven’t fallen for that since. Or, when I flipped the puck in the air (this probably happened more than once) and hit Coach Nagel in the head, drawing blood and anger. Or, my ultimate shame, having 0 goals my first year of mighty mites on the dinky rink. I wanted to be a goalie. 

It seems worth noting that we weren’t all going pro. The memories I have are of people coming together to create an experience. A state championship is a nice accomplishment, but it isn’t worth any more than the people you won it with. Riverview Ice house was the mortar between the bricks that is a community. My best memories, my best friends, and my best opportunities sprung from Riverview Ice House. And I owe all of my accomplishments and life successes to that community. 

It would be a shame to deny such opportunities to those living downtown, who may not be able to get over to the far-east side of Rockford. I am very lucky and grateful that my parents were able to provide me with the opportunities to skate wherever there was ice. But the financial and cultural barriers to hockey are already far too difficult to overcome. Relegating hockey to Riverside and Perryville might as well explicitly deny it from those who live downtown and have financial hardships. 

A place is more than a pile of bricks. Riverview Ice House is more than a couple slabs of ice. It is an opportunity for community. And I hope it can be for future generations.

Jim Bowman

I spent my entire youth having our parents driving us to Rockton to the Wagon Wheel, the only ice to play organized ice hockey in the region.  The accomplishments of the parents and park district to build the Riverview facility was difficult, admirable and overdue.

Close it now, and the city loses the IceHogs.  Lose the IceHogs, the MetroCenter will close permanently.  More boarded up buildings downtown.

It is unnecessary; keep it open and support downtown Rockford.  Little successes will compound upon each other and benefit each other.  Start with saving the Riverview IceHouse and move forward with more commitments to downtown Rockford. The alternative will be a long bumpy road.

Karla Clark

As a parent of two boys who played hockey for 14 years each in Beloit, I remember fondly all the trips to Riverview Ice House to play Rockford. While they were a rival, the rink was a great place to play for the kids and a great place to watch for the parents and families. Rockford has a long standing tradition with the game of hockey and tearing down an iconic rink that serves so many families does not sit well with this Wisconsin hockey mom! 

Hilary Hayssen

Hockey is synonymous with family. When I moved to Rockford for medical school, I found my family, and my place in Rockford, through hockey. And that family wouldn’t exist without the ice house at Riverview.

It’s one of those old barns, skaters know the one, the crisp feel as you walk in, the exposed ceiling, and the buzz of kids and parents and beer leaguers like myself. While my glory days of division 1 college hockey were behind me, the passion and excitement for the game was still there while dragging my big bag into Riverview for a late game. 

But to explain what Riverview means to me, I have to take a step back. I’ve moved a lot over the years, college in Boston, med school in Rockford, a few years in California, and currently surgical residency in Baltimore. And the first things I look for when I move somewhere new is hockey, a gym, and a good running route. The Y became my 5am wake up call, the river path my weekend jog, and Riverview my new home rink. This core of activities became my rock, and led to more opportunities to get involved with the community. Despite my busy medical school schedule, the best part of my week was volunteering as a youth hockey coach at Riverview. It was a time to give back and share my love of the sport with the next generation. To think that that next generation won’t have access to the greatest game on earth, causes me pause. There is no river view without the Riverview Ice Rink, and it’s an absolutely integral part of the recreation center of Rockford and I genuinely hope that the Board of Commissioners reconsider the closure of Riverview and the UW Health Sports Factory. To lose this core of recreation at the center of Rockford would deprive citizens, both life-long, and brand-new, like I once was, from the opportunity to find a family.

Thank you for your consideration.

Adam Tobias

Riverview Ice House is where I first learned how to skate and was introduced to the amazing game of hockey. Growing up, I played a lot of hockey on the Studio Rink, where a smaller surface area provides for faster play and requires quick decision making. That unique challenge helped me develop the short area and creative skills that were integral to later success: winning State Championships with the Rockford Icemen as well as advancing to play NCAA Division 1 College Hockey. It would be a shame to close down such an important developmental tool for our hockey community.

Amy Marten

I am writing to let you know why Riverview is important to our family. My son decided eight years ago he wanted to give hockey a try. I signed him up for learn to skate and the rest is history. I heard about Riverview possibly being shut down and immediately felt upset. Riverview has become our home away form home the last eight years and I actually think we have spent more time there then our actual house. Our family has made so many connections that will last a lifetime while being at the rink. My son has made a number of friendships and memories that he will remember always and connect back to Riverview. 

I feel that this rink is unique because of the off ice training facility. Also, Dinky Rink adds an extra sheet of ice for teams to practice and play on.  I think this closure could have a negative affect on businesses for the downtown area. My first thought was well obviously Prairie Street Brewing Co would be hurt by all the business from families of our teams leaving, but also when we have games all the families from out of town go there as well. I then began to think of all the other places we actually go because we are down there and they began to add up. I am going to provide the places we visit below because we always say, "well since we will be at Riverview we might as well go to..."  Vintage 501, Carlisle Brewing, Woodfire Brick Oven, Taco Betty's, District Bar and Grill, Capri Pizza, Blue Line Sports Pub - for lunch or dinner.  The Parlour downtown is where my son gets his hair cut because it is conveniently located near Riverview and we can get that taken care of on the way to practice.  My husband also joined The Lombardi club this past year knowing we would be downtown at Riverview so often.  

I am asking the Rockford Park District to please take into consideration all the impact closing Riverview could have on the downtown community. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts!

Stephanie Johnson-Phillips, a mom of two ice loving little humans

As a mom of a 12 year old son and 11 year old daughter, I'm writing to you to give a bit of insight on what the Riverview Ice House means to me and my children.

Both children are very active in the hockey community, both of them find a very good outlet of being on the ice at Riverview. My children both at just 5 years old took the ice at Riverview Ice House in their very first hockey games. It is definitely a memory as their mother I will never forget. 

My son is currently on the AA Bantam team for Rockford Hockey Club, we spend 4-5 nights a week at Riverview where we have done this for over 7 years. While my son is on the ice I am able to spend quality time with my daughter doing things such as sitting by the river or taking her to dinner at one of the local restaurants downtown. 

I also love the fact that I can jump on the bike path right there by the ice house and enjoy a quick walk while my boy is on the ice doing what he loves to do. We have also celebrated many birthday parties right there at the ice house, whether it be us hosting for our son or friends/teammates hosting for their children. 

Thank you for your time and reviewing our outlook of the future of Riverview Ice House, a place we love and refer to as our second home.

Kevin Granato

The Riverview Ice House was a central figure in the development of my hockey career that spanned more than 25 years.  It first served me as a youth hockey player where every year my teams travelled to Rockford from Chicago for games and tournaments to compete against one of the midwest's most formidable hockey programs that thrived out of the Ice House. I'll always have fond memories of playing at the IceHouse, staying overnight in Rockford and enjoying downtown in our downtime. Just one of the many experiences that fostered my pathway to NCAA Division-1 and pro hockey.  Fast forward to my late-twenties when I moved to downtown Rockford to begin my second career in advertising.  During my four years in Rockford, I not only played men's league at the IceHouse but proudly helped conduct youth hockey clinics to help young Rockfordian skaters develop their skills and work ethic, readying them for anything the future might hold: on or off the ice.  This wouldn't have been possible without the Riverview Ice House - a true monolith for learning, growth and community camaraderie. An essential venue that serves the local community in so many ways, measurable and immeasurable. A true irreplaceable institution that if demolished, also destroys all the good it creates.

Garrett and Kristina Marshall

I want to say first and foremost it is sad to hear that one of our staple buildings in Rockford known as the Riverview Ice House is set to close in the near future.  My family and I have had many fond memories at the facility and surrounding establishments in the downtown area.  

It really doesn’t matter what season of the year it is, hockey is a year round sport! So needless to say when our son had practice, in town or games we would,  with many other families enjoy a drink and appetizers during the week and weekend at several places in the downtown area but particularly Prairie Street was our second home( besides the rink) The waiters and waitresses really got to know our families and our hockey kids schedules during the week since it was an every week occurrence! It’s was kinda like Cheers  “everybody knows your name." Riverview on the water and the surrounding establishments have really been a purpose to gather and make lifetime friends here in the community! We call each other our hockey families! We would hang inside the rink before and after games, walk next door to Prairie street, walk down the street to market street and enjoy many establishments that are near by supporting the local restaurants and icehouse! Of course all the while the boys got ready to hit the ice in the locker room for the next practice, their next shift, their next high five in the hallway to their teammate and Coach! To the meeting room, doing yoga, hanging in the meeting room socializing with one another. All these memories come together at this beloved ice rink week week after  month after month year after year! I want to say on behalf of myself and our family we hope to hear the icehouse will prevail! Hockey is a close knit sport all across the nation bringing families together. I hope the RPD thinks really hard and long about the affects of closing the beloved Rockfordian ice rink right here in our hometown! The rink is a very special place in all hockey families lives!!! 

Machelle Pinkston

I am writing to you regarding Riverview Icehouse. I feel closing the icehouse would be a great loss to many downtown business as well as the community. 

My son has been participating in hockey at the facility for over 6 years now.  With practices lasting for two hours a night, at least two nights a week; the icehouse has become more than just an ice rink to my son, my family, and many others.  It has become more like a second home.

With the ice house being located downtown Rockford it has offered my husband and me a variety of activities to participate in.  One of the many things the location provides is close access to the bike path. This gives me the opportunity to walk along the Rock while my son is at practice.  Seeing that hockey last almost year round the bike path offers myself and other hockey families the chance to participate in physical activity, while our children are learning to play a sport they love.  

Another great benefit to having the icehouse located in downtown is the assortment of businesses. Over the past few years many investors have opened storefronts and restaurants in downtown Rockford to restore some of the historical buildings and bring patronage back to the area.  Prairie Street Brewing Company is just one of the places that offer participants, families, and visitors of Riverview Ice house a relaxing and enjoyable place to have dinner or drinks, while enjoying the views of the Rock River.  Many other establishments have opened along State Street that allows people attending a function at the Riverview Ice house to not only enjoy dinning but also art, music, and shopping.  Over the summer months, visitors to Riverview Ice House, have the opportunity to enjoy the City Market.  The City market provides a place for families to explore local artwork, music, produce, and food from local venders that may not have a storefront thus contributing to the economy outside of just the downtown area.   

Closing Riverview Icehouse will not only be a detriment to the people that use it but also to the surrounding businesses and community in general I hope you will considering keeping the icehouse open.