PEORIA, Ill. — Denis Cyr led the Peoria Rivermen to the city’s first professional hockey championship in 1984-85.
Now the Peoria City Council member is leading the Rivermen, the Peoria Civic Center and the City of Peoria to the table for a deal that will potentially keep the 41-year-old hockey franchise operating beyond this season.
According to the Peoria Journal Star, Cyr says he’s found a way to fund the Civic Center’s entire renovations list, with the caveat that a new ice plant for Carver Arena — costing $3.5 million — would keep the Rivermen here for years to come.
Cyr’s message to Rivermen fans is calm down and let him finish the job.
“We have a deal here. I can’t tell people all the details right now, because we’re working on some things before we have a vote in City Council,” Cyr said Tuesday. “I just want Rivermen fans to understand there is a deal happening.
“The Rivermen will be playing next season in Carver Arena. That has been my goal, my mission.”
Cyr says he’s met with Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich and Mayor Rita Ali and Peoria Civic Center liaison Sid Ruckriegel.
The Civic Center signed paperwork in late November to finalize a $25 million grant from the State of Illinois’ capital bill for renovations and improvements. The facility has a long list of projects prioritized on a list from which the money will be spent. The ice plant is No. 20 — far below the top nine or 10 items the building hopes to fix before the money runs out.
The details of how much and where money to fund the Civic Center’s renovations is coming from will be revealed at the City Council’s Feb. 28 meeting, when Council is scheduled to vote on the plan.
Cyr says his colleagues are on board, the Civic Center is on board and the Rivermen are on board.
“The Authority continues to analyze the capital needs and programming opportunities at the Civic Center and engage in discussions with stakeholders,” Civic Center Authority chairman Yvonne Greer said Tuesday night.
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