The Nicholas Family of Companies, a family-owned and -operated organization headquartered in Mount Prospect, Ill., joined the Village of Rosemont on Wednesday, Nov. 5 to celebrate the grand opening of Rosemont Ice Arena, a new $34.5 million indoor ice arena in Rosemont, just outside Chicago’s city limits.
The celebration began with an on-ice ribbon-cutting ceremony inside the new twin-sheet, 103,000-square-foot arena, featuring remarks from Nicholas Family of Companies CEO and Managing Director Nick Papanicholas Jr., Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens and Chicago Wolves Vice Chairman and Governor Wendell Young. Guests then toured the arena including a first look at the Chicago Wolves’ new practice facilities, which feature a dedicated sauna, steam room, cold plunge, film room and team lounge, and had the opportunity to watch the team practice. The event concluded with a hosted lunch at Hatty’s Club, the arena’s elevated sports bar and supper club concept, offering floor-to-ceiling views of both rinks.
“The opening of Rosemont Ice Arena reflects our commitment to creating spaces that strengthen connection and community,” said Papanicholas. “This facility offers a template for future projects and demonstrates what can be accomplished through strong public-private partnership. We appreciate the Village of Rosemont’s collaboration and support from concept to completion.”
The Rosemont opening marks the first of three Nicholas Family of Companies ice arena projects announced in the Chicago area over the past year. The organization is also developing and building a new 86,261-square-foot Elk Grove Ice Arena and recently acquired the 63,000-square-foot Glacier Ice Arena in Vernon Hills.
Located just steps from Allstate Arena, Rosemont Ice Arena offers a “power play” of benefits for local ice enthusiasts: prime ice time for youth hockey groups and figure skating; evening ice time for adult hockey leagues; and exclusive daytime use by the Chicago Wolves professional hockey team for their practices ahead of home games at Allstate Arena. Located only 3 miles from O’Hare International Airport, the new rink will also be a convenient option for regional and national hockey tournaments.
“This world-class facility is the result of a unique collaboration between the Village of Rosemont, Nicholas Family of Companies and the Chicago Wolves, and it will be of great service to the village and the Wolves organization,” said Young.
“A big part of an organization is its environment and to have a first-class facility like this is very conducive to developing players as they strive to take the next step in their careers,” Young continued. “Staff and players want to come to the rink because it’s so comfortable and the amenities are top-notch. When you have a beautiful facility like this, you’re going to get the best out of your players.”
Constructed by Nicholas & Associates and designed by architectural firm ARCON Associates, Inc., the new arena also features an elevated grab-and-go food and coffee area called Market by Hatty’s, a lounge and physical therapy clinic. The arena includes dedicated staff and team amenities for the Chicago Wolves and the Chicago Mission girls’ hockey club and will also serve as home to the Chicago Edge Skating Academy. In addition, the arena will provide ice time for the Northwest Chargers and York High School programs. Designated public open skate will be offered as well.
The new arena will be operated by the Nicholas Family of Companies’ Spectate Group, which also manages the Nicholas Sportsplex, the firm’s 17-acre indoor-outdoor sports complex with three ice sheets, synthetic turf fields, dedicated team spaces, a restaurant, bar and hockey pro shop in Mount Prospect.
Spectate Group will pay the Village of Rosemont an annual licensing fee to operate and manage the year-round facility. Under the agreement, both parties will be able to sell naming rights and sponsorships inside and outside the building.
Fueled by increased interest among fans and players, USA Hockey reported 396,525 registered members for the 2024-25 season, representing a 12% increase from 2022-23 and the third consecutive year of growth. Girls’ hockey continues to be one of the fastest-growing segments. In the 2023-24 season, over 90,000 girls under age 18 were registered to play in the United States, almost surpassing Canada, according to USA Hockey. Several girls' hockey teams and organizations will now call Rosemont’s new ice arena home.
“Expanding opportunities for youth hockey programs to play on high-quality ice while creating a positive impact for families, players and surrounding businesses was always our goal,” said Papanicholas. “To know this highly amenitized arena will make a positive, lasting contribution to the community for years to come is what projects like this are all about.”
About The Nicholas Family of Companies: The Nicholas Family of Companies is a second-generation, family-owned and -operated organization headquartered in Mount Prospect, Ill., with additional offices in Wisconsin and Florida. Both Nicholas & Associates and Spectate Group are part of a distinctly different and deliberately personal Family of Companies. To learn more, visit nicholasfoc.com.
