What's happening with potential USHL expansion?

[No Fun Shogun]

Yeah, as a Bloomington-Normal resident, I don't know what to say. Granted, there really isn't any energy in the market for the team for one reason or another, so I really can't say what's going to happen long-term.

 

[Slowe]

Bloomington isn't even named Bloomington anymore, changed to Central Illinois Flying Aces. They haven't played any games yet at their home arena citing poor conditions at the arena, although the ISU Redbirds and the local travel teams have been playing games and holding practices in that same arena all along. They've pushed back their home opener so many times it's a joke. Am sure they are shopping around for a new home. They played two home games in Peoria a few hours before the Riverman games last weekend. Seems fishy with all their stalling to actually show up in Bloomington.

Supposedly the boards are not as safe as they could be since they are old.

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/pr...cle_e4f37147-167c-58eb-a0c1-2db3da5e3fc8.html

The rebrand is because they are struggling for attention. I hope they make it but obviously time will tell.

 

[JMCx4]

Supposedly the boards are not as safe as they could be since they are old.

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/pr...cle_e4f37147-167c-58eb-a0c1-2db3da5e3fc8.html
...

Thanks for the article link, had not seen those details. I couldn't find any subsequent reports; so the continuing slip of the Aces' home opener is all we have to go on to fuel speculation.

 

[JMCx4]

Progress toward construction of the Legacy Ice Center in suburban St. Louis has ground to a halt, due to local government in-fighting that stirred up previously muted public debate re. land usage/conservation in the park: KMOV.com: County council votes to pause construction on ice rink at Creve Coeur Park

And now Legacy Ice is looking for a new location. This will certainly delay any USHL expansion to St. Louis ...
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From: NHL.com > Blues > News

Legacy Ice Foundation exploring new site for planned St. Louis Ice Center
by St. Louis Legacy Ice Foundation / Press Release
November 10th, 2017

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Legacy Ice Foundation announced today it is now exploring a Maryland Heights location for the St. Louis Ice Center, thereby bringing closure to the original plan for the complex at Creve Coeur Lake Park.

Representatives from the Legacy Ice Foundation and St. Louis Blues today met with and personally thanked St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger and his staff for their vision and commitment to the Creve Coeur Lake Park project, noting that uncertainty due to delays by the National Park Service - coupled with the urgent need for additional ice to answer the demand throughout the St. Louis region - necessitated exploring an alternate, yet very attractive, site in Maryland Heights.

"Our experiences with the National Park Service and the associated delays remain disappointing, but the good news is we have another spectacular site in Maryland Heights here in St. Louis County," said Patrick Quinn, President of the St. Louis Legacy Ice Foundation. "We look forward to building a complex that we need and deserve. The location changes, but our vision remains the same." ...

 

[JMCx4]

The next chapter in the story of a (possible) future home for a St. Louis-area USHL franchise ... Fox2Now: New ice complex finds a home in Maryland Heights

Now a September 2019 facility completion date is anticipated.