Youth hockey program opening indoor training facility in Palatine

A youth hockey development program is opening a private training facility less than a mile from Orbit Ice Arena in Palatine.

Windy City Storm, open to players ages 10 to 18, plans to open the new training facility by combining two empty spaces, for a total of about 3,500 square feet, at 904-908 E. Northwest Highway in Palatine.

The Palatine village council approved a special use permit for the project Tuesday night. The village's zoning board of appeals had recommended approval.

Windy City Storm is designed to help young hockey players develop their skills and, when the new facility opens, will provide "the whole package," said Ryan Ward, director of player development for Windy City Storm.

"We're excited," Ward said.

Windy City Storm's launch in March was delayed by COVID-19, said its president and co-owner Mark Jalcovik. The program launched June 1 with summer sessions at Orbit Ice Arena, 615 S. Consumers Ave. Jalcovik said the majority owner of Windy City Storm, David Vennetti, also owns and operates Orbit Ice Arena.

The private training facility on Northwest Highway will include an indoor running track, weight room, cardio machines and a training floor area, along with restrooms, a shower and a conference room, according to village documents. Hours of operation would be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, with peak hours after 5:30 p.m. The other tenants in the strip mall are a physician's office and Staywell Pharmacy.

Jalcovik said he expects the facility to open in 30 to 60 days.

Attorney Sara Barnes, who represented Windy City Storm before the zoning board of appeals, said the two spaces on Northwest Highway are in a building that was built as an "accessory" to the nearby senior living facility Grand at Twin Lakes, but have always been empty.