Council approves $20 million in bonds to help Civic Center, Rivermen hockey

PEORIA (25News Now) - Tuesday night marked another step forward for one of Central Illinois’ busiest venues.

Peoria City Council members demonstrated that they do indeed want to help finance key Civic Center improvements.

It’s been a conversation for weeks, how to keep the Rivermen hockey team in Peoria?

To make that happen, the Civic Center needs major improvements, including an ice machine.

The $20.5 million in bonds approved unanimously by the council will help.

Mike Olson spoke at the meeting to remind the council and audience that the impact of a functioning ice rink goes beyond professional hockey.

“I hear all the time, the ice rink for the Rivermen... No no, what about the jamboree kids that were here last Saturday? You know we had 30 synchronized skating teams here,” said Olson.

It’s now up to the Civic Center and the Rivermen leaders to negotiate a deal.

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