The 150,000 sq. ft. ice and sports complex, largest in the Southeastern US, is scheduled to

open in Wesley Chapel this fall.

Florida’s largest ice rink facility and sports complex officially announced its new name: Florida Hospital Center Ice and unveiled its new logo.

The developer and Florida Hospital hosted a community naming contest to name the facility. Over 200 submissions were received. Florida Hospital Center Ice was chosen because it speaks to the hockey programs that will be a staple of the facility but also to its role as a central gathering place for athletes and families.

“Florida Hospital’s Sport Medicine and Performance Program offers an array of services from sports performance and injury prevention to fitness and wellness programs as well as integrating with orthopedic and outpatient rehab services. We are excited to partner with Florida Hospital Center Ice to offer integrated sports performance programs for the athletes in the facility,” said Barbara Morris, DHSc, ATC, LAT, CSCS, ROT, director of sports medicine and performance at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

Florida Hospital Center Ice also released some mock up photos of what some of the facility will look like inside.

The 150,000 square-foot facility is scheduled to open this fall off Interstate 75 at the State Road 56 interchange in Wesley Chapel with four full-sized ice rinks and a mini rink. In addition to the ice pads, Florida Hospital Center Ice will have a removable pad that can double as a multi-purpose floor for basketball and other sports and a sports-themed family restaurant.

“Construction is going well and we look forward to opening this fall. We are tremendously excited about our partnership with Florida Hospital which will allow us to offer top notch sports conditioning and performance programs. Florida Hospital Center Ice has attracted the attention of several national programs who are looking to make a home here along with local and statewide programs from a variety of sports,” said Gordie Zimmermann, developer and Managing Partner of Z Mitch LLC. “We will be hosting some open house events this summer so we encourage people to go to our website, www.floridahospitalcenterice.com for more information.

During the official Groundbreaking Ceremony back in February, Florida Hospital announced their partnership in the 150,000 square-foot project. The two-story complex will not only feature hockey and figure skating, but will also host curling and other winter sports. One of the rinks would be located in the 20,000-square-foot multi-purpose space that could be converted for indoor sports, such as tennis, basketball, volleyball and arena football. It could also host large corporate meetings and even high school graduations. The facility expects to host more than 1.5 million people per year, with an estimated 40% of those coming from outside the Tampa Bay area. Developers expect the ice complex to bring more than 50 jobs to the area. The facility is also expected to drive business, especially for nearby hotels, hosting regional and national tournaments.

Florida Hospital Center Ice expects to host more than 1.5 million people per year, with an estimated 40% of those coming from outside the Tampa Bay area. For more information about the ice and sports complex and upcoming events, please visit: www.floridahospitalcenterice.com.