AVON, Ohio – A former professional hockey player tries to build an ice rink in the city.

Avon’s director of economic development Pam Fechter said Russ Sinkewich presented the plan to city council on April 19. Sinkewich would like to build the facility next to the Lake Erie Crushers baseball stadium on Recreation Lane, just north of the T3 Performance building.

But first, he needs the city to sell him the land.

Sinkewich is the founder of the Ohio Hockey Project, a Rocky River-based hockey training and development organization.

The hockey rink would be three-quarters the size of a regulation hockey rink because it does not host tournaments and its business model only includes education and development for all ages.

Although Fechter was impressed with Sinkewich’s presentation, she said everything is on hold for now.

“We need the numbers from him first,” Fechter said.

But she added, “Residents have been asking for a hockey rink for years. We have residents who travel all over Ohio for skating time. Many want it.

She also noted that Sinkewich carries out many philanthropic activities to help children develop positive attitudes. He can also be a role model, having played for the Cleveland Monsters as well as other professional teams for seven years.

Sinkewich’s proposal calls for a “30,000-square-foot world-class facility” that could also serve as a new ice sports training home for local Avon schools.

Fechter noted that the project is “in its very early stages. We have told the owner to come back and present everything possible, as well as the costs, and we can discuss it again. We are also looking at other considerations and other partners. “

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