U of I club hockey team looks for temporary home
CHAMPAIGN - The Ice Arena at the University of Illinois won't be able to open until at least mid-September because of mechanical problems. That will leave the school's popular club hockey team looking for a new temporary home.
Coach Nick Fabbrini tells The News-Gazette that he is looking at rinks in Bloomington, Danville, Kankakee and Chicago for sites for practices and possibly games. The team is scheduled to open its season Sept. 19. The club would have to ask alumni to cover the extra costs.
The university's Campus Recreation Department says work to repair the system that cools pipes under the ice should take about six weeks.
The 73-year-old arena is the only rink in Champaign. It also hosts youth hockey, speed skating, a synchronized skating team and other on-ice activities.
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