Top youth hockey program taking over former Orbit roller rink in Palatine
Recently shuttered Orbit Skate Center in Palatine will be converted into an ice-skating facility that will host a top-tier youth hockey program, figure skating training, lessons and related activities.
Palatine village council members Monday night approved a transfer of a special-use permit to American Tier I Hockey LLC, which operates the Chicago Young Americans hockey program now based in Lincolnwood. The permit had allowed Orbit to operate.
Jason Ori, who is president, CEO, hockey coach and administrator for the Young Americans, said he expects the Orbit renovation to be finished by Aug. 15.
"It's a very big deal for us," Ori said after gaining village council approval. "We're very excited."
Ori said an initial focus will be community-based youth hockey programs and instruction for young players from Palatine, Arlington Heights and other nearby towns. He said an extensive renovation - including a refreshed bar area and new locker rooms - will be needed to convert the roller rink into a hockey and figure skating facility for boys and girls.
Teams from the Detroit and Chicago areas, New Jersey and Omaha, Nebraska, will be traveling to the Young Americans' new Palatine home for league games.
"It's the top-tier, elite of the elite youth hockey players," Ori said.
Co-founded in 1982 by Ori's father, Joe, the Young Americans have a reputation for sending boys and girl to junior, college and professional levels. Young Americans alumni include former Chicago Blackhawks goaltenders Scott Darling and Craig Anderson.
Orbit Skate Center ended its 46-year run as an iconic gathering place in Palatine on March 31. Owner Sandra Levin said at the time the high cost of operating a large roller skating facility in Cook County was behind her decision to sell the building at 615 S. Consumers Ave.
Palatine Village Manager Reid Ottesen said the hockey rink will fit with the other sports facilities on Consumers Avenue, which border the mammoth U.S. Postal Service facility in Palatine.
"I think it's great to have it going in there," Ottesen said. "It's a great complement to everything else we have, and the building is kind of naturally built for something like that (ice rink). So, I think it'll be fabulous."
American Tier 1 will join the neighboring Soccer City and Salt Creek Park District in an agreement to maintain a shared parking lot along Consumers Avenue.