Vinik To Invest $6 Million In Ice Sports Forum

TAMPA, FL – The Tampa Bay Lightning’s longtime home away from home will get a much-needed facelift.

Lightning owner and chairman Jeff Vinik announced on Thursday, June 29 he will invest $6 million in the Ice Sports Forum, which has been the team’s exclusive practice facility since 1997. The improvements include a new locker room and training facilities for the team.

In addition, the Lightning and the Ice Sports Forum, located at 10222 Elizabeth Place, agreed to a 10-year lease extension. The deal confirms the Lightning will call the Ice Sports Forum home through at least 2026-27.

The project, which will break ground in September, is expected to be complete by the spring of 2018. The Ice Sports Forum will also invest $500,000 in the improvements.

“We have addressed a number of things as an organization on and off the ice since purchasing the team in 2010, but one thing that has not been improved to this point has been the team’s practice venue,” Vinik said. “That will change this fall when we break ground.”

The improvements to the Lightning’s training facilities at the Brandon Ice Sports Forum will put the facility on par with its training area at Amalie Arena, which is approximately 14,500 square feet. The training facilities at the Ice Sports Forum will go from 5,500 square feet to 18,000 square feet.

The new addition will feature a locker room, weight room, training room, dedicated press room, an expanded player lounge and more. It will also feature amenities not currently available at Amalie Arena, including hydrotherapy facilities and a video room/theater. A new rink dasher system will be added to the North Rink.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to winning the Stanley Cup, and that begins with providing every resource for our players to train and prepare,” Vinik said.

Aside from serving as the training facility for the Lightning, the Ice Sports Forum doubles as a public recreational facility. The Forum consists of two NHL regulation rinks, a laser tag arena, the Centerline Café, Power Play Grill and Sports Bar, Rinkside Pro Shop and dedicated areas for birthday parties as well as conferences.

In addition, Ice Sports Forum plays host to numerous USA Hockey and ISI figure skating events. The facility has one of the highest adult hockey participation levels in the country with more than 100 teams in various leagues. The facility also hosts youth hockey recreational leagues and travel teams ranging from mini-mite through high school.

“I would like to personally thank the Ice Sports Forum and owner Tom Bradley for being a great partner of the organization for more than 20 years,” Vinik said. “We hope to continue the relationship for another 20 years or more.”

Photo by Paul L Dineen via Flickr