The Blackhawks are planning a $65 million extension to Fifth Third Arena, according to Block Club Chicago.
The plan is to expand its practice facility with two hockey rinks for the Blackhawks and club teams, 180 parking spaces, a park for neighbors and a Divvy station at the arena, according to the report. The job is expected to be completed in 2026 with the help of 260 created construction jobs for the project.
The Hawks purchased the land at 303 S. Damen Ave., which is next to Fifth Third Arena, for the 135,000-square-foot expansion. They are reportedly buying the land from Rush University Medical Center for $23.5 million, a deal already approved by City Council in April.
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In conjunction with the sale, Rush is giving $6.3 million of the sale to the Sankofa Wellness Village, a "development project in West Garfield Park aiming to create infrastructure that will increase the quality of life and life expectancy of neighbors."
"We believe sports programming can change lives," Sara Guderyahn, the Blackhawks’ vice president of Social Impact & Outreach said in the report. "This rink is the heart of the Blackhawks org, but it’s more than that. It’s how we think of the benefits of sportsmanship and how we create a safe space for our West Side neighbors."
The plan to extend and improve Fifth Third Arena is awaiting approval from City Council.