Forest district has eyes for ice arena

The Kane County Forest Preserve District might add an ice rink to its portfolio of properties.

Forest Preserve District President John Hoscheit confirmed Saturday that members of the commission voted to authorize negotiations to buy the Fox Valley Ice Arena on Kirk Road in Geneva.

The vote came Friday at a special meeting called after the commission met to discuss development projects.

Hoscheit said the forest preserve commission would move its headquarters to the 10,000 square feet of office space on the third floor of the arena. The commission presently occupies about 7,000 square feet at the Kane County government center. The move would save the cost of buying new offices.

"We would upgrade the facility and continue to run the public programs," Hoscheit said. "Based on our economic projections, it would generate a revenue stream that would pay for the acquisition over a period of about 15 years."

Hoscheit declined to discuss the cost, stating that negotiations were in the "early stages."

The ice arena has two rinks used by youth and school hockey teams, as well as for other skating clubs and individuals. There also is a restaurant and fitness center in the building.

The ice arena sits on a 17-acre site south of Elfstrom Stadium, which is owned by the forest preserve commission and home to the Kane County Cougars.

Hoscheit said the purchase of the ice arena would include plans to enhance the parking lot, used for overflow by the Cougars, and develop the recently closed Settler's Hill landfill as a recreation site.