New York City plans to turn an abandoned armory into the world’s largest sports complex for ice skating and hockey.
It is scheduled to be operational in 2017 and cost $275 million, which will come from private investors.
The so-called Kingsbridge National Ice Center in the Bronx will have nine indoor rinks open all year, including one with 5,000 seats for big skating events and hockey games, according to city hall.
The facility is expected to draw two million visitors a year.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said KNIC Partners LLC will invest $275 million to overhaul the building, an armory that dates back to the early 20th century and has been in disuse since 1996.
Of the nine rinks, five will be on the main level and four will be located on two elevated platforms.
At least two rinks will accommodate hockey played on sleds for people with disabilities.
The remodeling work is scheduled to begin in late 2014.
Kingsbridge Armory has not been used for military purposes since 1993.
New York to boast world's biggest ice sports arena
