The Nicholas Family of Companies today announced it has been selected to develop, build and operate Westfield Ice Facility, a new multi-sheet indoor ice facility in Westfield, Indiana, a northern suburb of Indianapolis.
The facility will be a catalyst for further growth of the Grand Park District, a mixed-use development near the Grand Sports Campus in Westfield. 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.
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.
