ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The head of the group that runs operations at the Blues practice facility says they're working on a plan to keep the facility solvent.
The Centene Community Ice Center, where the St. Louis Blues practice, is facing some financial troubles.
The center is owned by the city Maryland Heights, but most recently, the city defaulted on its latest payment to creditors.
The non-profit that runs Centene Community Ice Center says that the facility is still feeling the impacts of the pandemic shutdown and recent increases in operating costs due to inflation.
Dave Otto, Chairman of the non-profit St Louis Legacy Ice Foundation, that runs the rink, joined Total Information A.M. Tuesday to discuss the issue, but couldn't publicly disclose how specifically they are working to boost revenues and prevent another default.
Otto does say though that events can help massively with the facility, which included the rink completing a successful summer of concerts along with Centene was chosen this week as the future site for the American Collegiate Hockey Association championships in 2024 and beyond.
St. Louis is also working to host the 2026 IIHF World Juniors Championship, the international under-20 international competition.
"The city of St. Louis has put a bid in for the World Juniors Championship, that would be in my opinion, the biggest hockey event in the history of St. Louis, bigger than the Stanley Cup Final in terms of number of people and money it brings in," said Otto.
Alongside serving as the home of the St. Louis Blues practice facilities, the multi-million dollar ice rink in Maryland Heights also serve as home to the Lindenwood University hockey teams, and other youth hockey programs.