Predators Push Williamson County Rink

FRANKLIN, TN -- In Bellevue, construction is underway of the second ice facility backed by the Nashville Predators and the team is looking south for its third.

Team President and CEO Sean Henry pitched the idea of a partnership with the Williamson County Sports Authority to bring rinks south of Old Hickory Boulevard.

According to the Franklin Home Page, Henry said Williamson County could support "six facilities with 12 sheets of ice." Henry emphasized that the original Ford Ice Center at the former site of the Hickory Hollow Mall in Antioch is already among the busiest ice facilities in the country, an indicator of the heavy demand in the area, particularly as both hockey and figure skating participation grow in the Midstate.

"There would be nothing better than to be able to partner with Williamson County,” Henry said, according to FHP.

There was some pushback from the board, the newspaper said. Attorney Larry Westbrook said traffic may discourage support from long-time residents, for example.

See the full report.

Subscribe to Franklin Patch for more local news and real-time alerts