The Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) completed another big step this week in their approval process to bring the world’s largest indoor ice facility to the Bronx.  Before heading to the Bronx Borough Board and then City Council, the Kingsbridge Armory proposal won a unanimous vote of  approval from the City Planning Commission for their ULURP application.  The plans for the proposed facility include living wages for employees, a public community center, and over $2 billion in public benefits.  Spearheaded by Olympic figure skating champion Sarah Hughes and CEO and New York Rangers legend Mark Messier, the KNIC looks to bring figure skating, ice hockey, and other ice sports to the Bronx.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., who has been a long time supporter for the project, had this to say:

“This is an extremely important, transformative project that will not only reshape this historic structure, but will provide living wage jobs, recreation opportunities and community programming. This project will not just help revitalize the surrounding neighborhood, but will add to the borough’s new reputation as a sports mecca while advancing the concept of the ‘New Bronx.’ I look forward to its approval at the City Council.”

A press release issued by the Bronx Borough President’s office can be found here.

Coverage of the vote can be found here.