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.