The Nashville Predators and Mid-South Ford Dealers announced Tuesday an agreement to name the new Predators rink development in West Davidson County, Ford Ice Center Bellevue, which is scheduled to open in September 2019. Additionally, the Predators and Ford announced that the naming rights of Ford Ice Center Antioch has been extended for five years.
“The environment we created at Ford Ice Center Antioch is something we are more proud of than any other initiative we’ve taken on,” Predators President and CEO Sean Henry said. “We’ve broken down barriers and have grown youth hockey and skating of all ages, in part because of the support we’ve received from Ford for everything we’ve done. Extending our partnership with them into our newest facility in Bellevue is such a natural fit for both sides as we continue to build on the work we started five years ago. Our partnership with Ford, Mayor David Briley, Metro Councilwoman Sheri Weiner and Metro Councilman Dave Rosenberg helped make the Bellevue rink a possibility, and it has resulted in where we are today.”
The 110,000 square-foot Ford Ice Center Bellevue will house two sheets of ice and 12 locker rooms, helping meet the demand for ice for hockey players and skaters of all ages in Nashville and Davidson County. The facility will offer enough seating to host large USA Hockey and U.S. Figure Skating events, in addition to the 2019 NHL Prospects Showcase in September. Patrons will be able to choose from a variety of food and beverage options, including a full restaurant and a Grab and Go Stand, similar to the Twice Daily convenience concession locations at Bridgestone Arena. There will also be a dry-land training facility, a full-service hockey and skating store, a Nashville Predators Alumni lounge and private party rooms available for rental.
The Antioch facility, which hosts the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy, Jr. Preds AAA program, Little Preds Learn to Play and much more, has operated at full capacity since opening its doors and will serve as the blueprint for the planned programs and events at Ford Ice Center Bellevue.
Ground broke on Ford Ice Center Bellevue in August 2018, and the facility’s foundation, walls and roof are currently under construction.
