Submitted by Taylor Johnson
taylorjohnson.com
The Nicholas Family of Companies announced it has been selected to develop, build and operate Westfield Ice Facility, a new multi-sheet indoor ice facility in Westfield.
The facility will be a catalyst for further growth of the Grand Park District. It will also mark the first rinks at the Grand Sports Campus, a major youth sports destination for soccer, football, rugby, field hockey, lacrosse and baseball that hosts more than five million visitors each year.
Westfield Ice Facility will feature three NHL-sized stadium-styled rinks – with a potential fourth rink for future expansion – offering tiered seating for up to 3,500 spectators. The facility aims to deliver a “hat trick” of benefits for the region: prime ice time for youth and adult leagues, accessible public skating, and elite-level instruction.
Beyond the ice, the facility will function as a community hub, featuring a full-service restaurant, retail spaces, an academic lounge and outdoor activity areas.
“We are honored to partner with the city of Westfield and the Redevelopment Commission to bring this transformative project to life,” said Nick Papanicholas Jr., managing director and CEO of Nicholas Family of Companies. “Our firm brings a proven track record in the development, design, construction and management of ice arenas. This new Westfield facility will create opportunities for youth athletes and families, drive economic activity and serve as a year-round destination for local programming as well as regional and national events.”
The Westfield Facility is the fourth indoor ice arena to be developed or acquired by Nicholas in the past two years and its first outside the Chicago area. Other projects include Rosemont Ice Arena, a 103,000 square-foot facility with dedicated team spaces, a restaurant and bar in Rosemont, Ill., developed and built by Nicholas and opened last year; the 86,261 square-foot Elk Grove Ice Arena in Elk Grove Village, Ill., currently being built by Nicholas and opening this year; and the 63,000 square-foot Glacier Ice Arena in Vernon Hills, Ill., acquired by Nicholas last year. The firm also built and manages the Nicholas Sportsplex in Mount Prospect, Ill.
In its proposal for the facility, Nicholas emphasized its extensive ice arena experience and ability to coordinate design, construction, and operations under a single point of accountability. The firm’s Nicholas & Associates division will serve as general contractor for the Westfield project. Its Spectate Group will manage and program the facility, and its Big Fish Hospitality Group will oversee food and beverage offerings.
City officials cited the project structure and relevant experience as factors in selecting Nicholas to lead the development.
The new Westfield Ice Facility is expected to attract regional and national ice hockey tournaments as well as other sporting events. Local programming will help develop a pipeline of youth athletes and include instructional classes, sports organizations, hockey and figure skating leagues, public skating, charity events, and birthday parties. It also will generate significant economic impact for the region, including increased hotel, restaurant, and retail revenue, as well as job creation and community engagement opportunities. The facility is expected to open in 2028.
Fueled in part by a new wave of female fans, the National Hockey League is consistently reporting higher revenue year-over-year, increased ratings and record-setting attendance, with arenas filled to more than 96 percent capacity. Youth hockey continues to grow, reaching record participation levels in 2024-2025. There were 395,525 registered youth players, including 6,705 new youth members, marking an all-time high. The sport’s growth is especially strong among girls, with more than 98,000 players under age 18 now registered to play, according to USA Hockey.