City Council takes major step toward keeping the Rivermen in Peoria. Here's what's next
PEORIA — The City Council on Tuesday voted for a plan that would give the Peoria Civic Center Authority $20 million to fix a bevy of items, including the machine that makes ice for the Peoria Rivermen.
Councilman Denis Cyr, who played for the Rivermen in the mid-1980s, thanked his colleagues, showing emotion and a sense of relief.
"We are now in the third period. That means that there is still a lot of work to do," he said, referring to the need for the team and the authority to negotiate a new lease agreement.
Dozens of people packed the fourth-floor room at City Hall to show their support for the hockey team, which has been a staple at the Civic Center for more than 40 years. When the unanimous vote occurred nearly two hours into the meeting, they applauded and cheered.
Council members paused for a few minutes to allow the hockey jersey-clad fans to show their appreciation.
'Bigger than sports':Rivermen players speak out on lease issues with Peoria Civic Center
What is the issue?
The Rivermen hockey team has played at the Civic Center for more than 40 years and is now near the end of its current lease. The amount of time it has taken to work out a deal for a new lease has created tension in the community.
Both sides have said they aren't going to negotiate a deal in public.
Rivermen supporters argue the Civic Center wants the team out. The Civic Center has rebutted that and says it is trying to be a good steward of the public's money and the cost of repairing the machinery to create the ice is high.
Two weeks ago, Cyr partially revealed a deal that would take the money out of the equation and would move the team closer to signing a lease to keep it in the city.
The deal, which was introduced publicly at the City Council meeting on Tuesday night, proposes for the city to issue $20 million in bonds that would be paid for out of the city's hotel, restaurant and amusement taxes, which would cover nearly all of the items not funded by a $25 million grant from the state.
Among those items are the ice plant, which is the machine that chills water to make the ice for the hockey team's playing surface. The machinery is at least 30 years old and beyond its expected lifespan. The cost to replace it is at least $3.4 million, which has been a sticking point in negotiations.
An expiring lease and $20M in bonds:A closer look at the money in a deal that could keep the Rivermen here
What did the council think?
Council members were united to a person in their desire to save the hockey team and to vote for the money, though their reasons differed. Councilman John Kelly said the city was "over a barrel," that the needs for the city's "crown jewel" were so high that there was no other choice.
Sid Ruckriegel, the council's liaison to the authority's board of commissioners, called the plan very "workable," and called the money an investment in what many have called the economic engine of Downtown Peoria. Doing this, he said, will allow the team to function and enhance the team, the Civic Center and the entire downtown.
Tim Riggenbach, who represents the city's 3rd District, cited the past weekend, when a sold-out crowd of more than 10,000 fans watched Bradley University win the regular season championship of the Missouri Valley Conference.
"That's what makes fans for life. I'm very excited to support this. We need to get the Peoria Civic Center polished up and moving forward for another 40 years," he said.
More background:Will the Rivermen stay in Peoria? A deal is in the works, says city councilman
Criticism did occur
But it wasn't all sunshine and hugs.
Kelly made it clear he was aggravated with the idea that the Civic Center, which expanded in 2007 to the tune of $55 million, now needs about $47 million in repairs and improvements. That the authority didn't have any money saved in its reserves for capital improvement was not right, he said, and could mean there should be a change in management.
"Maybe I'm alone but I had no idea that we were this far behind in capital. Any business sets money aside. The air conditioner will break. The roof will need to be replaced. Corporations do it. Not-for-profits do it and everyone in their homes do it, but not the Civic Center. ... I feel like I have been snookered. We never heard about this until recently.
"I will be voting for it but I'm very upset about it. I think the management of this very important community asset needs to be examined and some changes are warranted," he said, a line that garnered a lot of applause.
Riggenbach and Ruckriegel responded that the Civic Center can't levy bonds and that it is dependent upon the dispersal of HRA taxes by the city. If anything, Riggenbach said, the council should share some of the blame as it didn't provide more money out of the HRA fund.
What now?
The vote Tuesday caused City Manager Patrick Urich and his staff to create the ordinances and legislation needed to allow the city to issue the bonds. That vote will come on March 14, a day after the Peoria Civic Center Authority will meet in a special meeting to discuss the proposal.
Urich said the bonds would not likely be issued until May or a few weeks later due to paperwork involved.
And in the meantime, At-Large Councilman Zachary Oyler summed up what others believe: The two sides will meet and hammer out a lease agreement.
"We are doing our part and now it is time for them to do their part," he said.
Oyler also noted the team and the Civic Center needed to find a way to increase attendance, up the level of marketing and get more people in the building. He also referenced the BU basketball game.
"It was incredible to see what happened with the Bradley game. I don't see why that can't happen here."
Ruckriegel said the ice plant should be able to "limp along" next year, which would allow the team to play out its season before it is replaced in 2024.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: With Rivermen negotiations stalling, Peoria removes money from equation
