Perhaps Olympic Gold figure skater Scott Hamilton said it best when he stepped to the podium during Ford Ice Center’s grand opening festivities.
“Is this awesome or what!?”
That seemed to be the overwhelming response on Friday afternoon as the Nashville Predators cut the ribbon on their new facility in Antioch, Tennessee. Among those on hand for the ceremony included Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Predators defenseman Seth Jones and country music legend Vince Gill.
Once the ribbon fell, hundreds poured into the rinks and back out again, taking in public skating activities, as well as a Party in the Park, hosted in the five-acre park adjacent to the building, complete with live music, food trucks and a slew of other activities. And this was just the start.
“Your passion and support provide us the confidence to allow us to introduce even more people to the great game you already know and love,” Predators CEO Jeff Cogen said to the fans of Smashville.