Key Takeaways:
- Nicholas Family of Companies has been selected to develop, build, and operate the Westfield Ice Facility, its first project outside the Chicago market.
- The facility will feature three NHL-sized rinks with tiered seating for up to 3,500 spectators, with capacity to expand to four rinks.
- This marks the fourth indoor ice arena developed or acquired by Nicholas in the past two years.
- A Hunden Partners analysis projects the facility will generate approximately $498 million in new regional spending over 30 years.
- Youth hockey registered an all-time high of 395,525 players in 2024-25, according to USA Hockey, with girls participation surpassing 98,000.
Nicholas Family of Companies Named to Lead Westfield Ice Facility at Grand Park
When the City of Westfield announced it had selected the Nicholas Family of Companies to develop the new Westfield Ice Facility inside the Grand Park District, it was not a company making its first move into ice. It was a Mount Prospect, Illinois-based firm quietly building one of the more focused ice arena portfolios in the country, now stepping outside the Chicago market for the first time.
YSBR sat down with Nick Papanicholas Jr., Managing Director and CEO, to understand what this project means for the company, for Grand Park, and for the youth hockey ecosystem it will serve.
A Portfolio Built Quickly, and Deliberately
In the past two years, Nicholas has developed or acquired four indoor ice arenas. Rosemont Ice Arena, a 103,000-square-foot facility with team spaces and a restaurant, opened last year. Elk Grove Ice Arena, at 86,261 square feet, is currently under construction and set to open this year. Glacier Ice Arena in Vernon Hills was acquired last year. The firm also built and continues to manage the Nicholas Sportsplex in Mount Prospect.
Westfield is the fourth arena in that run, and the first beyond Illinois.
That pace of growth reflects something deliberate about how the company operates. Nicholas does not separate the business of building facilities from the business of running them. Nicholas & Associates leads construction. Spectate Group manages operations and programming. Big Fish Hospitality Group handles food and beverage. The same organization that pours the concrete is the one opening the doors on day one and running the ice schedule three years later.
“Facilities like this benefit tremendously from having alignment across development, construction, and operations from the beginning,” Papanicholas said. “That structure creates a single point of accountability and allows us to design the building with the long-term user experience in mind.”
City officials specifically cited that integrated structure, along with Nicholas’s relevant experience, as factors in the selection.
What Grand Park Gets
Grand Park is already one of the most visited youth sports campuses in the country, drawing more than five million visitors annually across soccer, football, rugby, field hockey, lacrosse, and baseball. What it has not had is a year-round anchor for the winter months.
The Westfield Ice Facility changes that. Three NHL-sized rinks, one of them stadium-styled with tiered seating for up to 3,500 spectators, will allow the campus to host regional and national tournaments during the months when its outdoor fields go quiet. A fourth rink can be added as demand grows.
Beyond the ice, the facility is designed to function as a full community hub. A full-service restaurant, retail spaces, an academic lounge, and outdoor gathering areas are all part of the plan. The goal, as Papanicholas framed it, is a place where families spend the entire day, not just the duration of a practice.
“The stadium rink with seating for 3,500 spectators will allow the facility to host high-level tournaments and showcase events in a way that feels exciting for athletes and fans alike,” he said. “Our goal is to build a facility that feels vibrant and active throughout the day.”
The economic projections reinforce the ambition. A June 2025 analysis by Hunden Partners estimates the facility will generate approximately $498 million in new spending, $220 million in new earnings, and more than 105 full-time equivalent jobs over 30 years, along with nearly $8.7 million in County Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue.
Building the Local Pipeline
Tournament revenue matters, but Papanicholas is clear that local programming is the foundation, not a secondary consideration.
Through Spectate Group, the facility will offer learn-to-skate classes, youth hockey and figure skating leagues, adult recreational leagues, public skating, and instructional programming for athletes at every level. Charity events and birthday parties are also part of the mix, reflecting a deliberate push to embed the facility into the weekly rhythm of the community rather than treat it as an event-only venue.
“When a facility becomes part of a community’s weekly routine, not just a place people visit once or twice a year, that’s when you know it’s truly successful,” Papanicholas said.
The market timing is favorable. Youth hockey reached record participation in 2024-25, with 395,525 registered players, including 6,705 new members, according to USA Hockey. Girls participation is a particular growth driver, with more than 98,000 players under age 18 now registered. At the NHL level, arenas are running at more than 96 percent capacity, with revenue, ratings, and attendance all trending upward. A well-programmed facility entering this market in 2028 is not chasing a trend, it is meeting sustained demand.
A National Footprint in Progress
For a family-owned firm headquartered in suburban Chicago, the Westfield project represents a clear step toward a broader geographic footprint. Papanicholas acknowledged the significance directly.
“This facility represents far more than sheets of ice,” he said. “It represents opportunity, economic impact, and a home for youth athletes and families year-round.”
Design is expected to begin immediately following contract execution with the Westfield Redevelopment Commission, anticipated in early April. The facility is slated to open in 2028.
What Nicholas is building in Westfield follows the same model it has executed in Rosemont, Elk Grove, and Vernon Hills: design it, build it, run it, and stay accountable for all of it. The difference is that this time, the address is in Indiana, and the audience is national.
Source: Nicholas Family of Companies Press Release, March 17, 2026. City of Westfield Press Release, March 4, 2026.
YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.
About Youth Sports Business Report
Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.
Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. As the leading authority in youth sports business reporting, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trends, youth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.
Our expert editorial team provides authoritative, in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry verticals including:
- Sports sponsorship and institutional capital (Private Equity, Venture Capital)
- Youth Sports events and tournament management
- NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) developments and compliance
- Youth sports coaching and sports recruitment strategies
- Sports technology and data analytics innovation
- Youth sports facilities development and management
- Sports content creation and digital media monetization
Whether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.
Join our growing community of 50,000+ industry leaders who depend on our trusted youth sports business analysis to drive success in the youth sports industry.
Stay connected with the pulse of the youth sports business – where industry expertise meets actionable intelligence.
Sign up for the biggest newsletter in Youth Sports – Youth Sports HQ – The best youth sports newsletter in the industry
Follow Youth Sports Business Report Founder Cameron Korab on LinkedIn
Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?
Introducing Play Up Partners, a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
About Play Up Partners
Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
Why Sponsor Youth Sports?
Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.
What Does Play Up Partners Do?
We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.
Our Approach
Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:
- Deliver measurable ROI for brand partners
- Create meaningful experiences for athletes and families
- Elevate the youth sports ecosystem
Our Vision
We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.
Common Questions About Youth Sports Marketing
Where can I sponsor youth sports? How do I activate in youth sports? What is the ROI of youth sports marketing? How much does youth sports sponsorship cost?
We have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.
Youth sports organizations: Interested in partnership opportunities? Reach out to learn about our accreditation process.
