Potential ice hockey/tennis facility in Warren County to cost millions

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- It will cost millions of dollars if Warren County chooses to build an indoor ice hockey or tennis facility.

That was the big headline to come out of a feasibility study presented to the Warren County Fiscal Court Friday morning.

According to the study, if the county were to build an indoor hockey facility, it would cost $25 million. An indoor tennis venue with eight courts would cost $18 million and a venue with six courts would cost $15 million.

“I’m very upbeat about this,” said Chris Kummer, Warren County’s Parks and Recreation director. “I think we are going to continue to look at these two projects. I think it’s a good piece of the puzzle in regards to both of these projects progressing.”

Four ideal locations were recognized in the study, Buchanon Park, downtown Bowling Green, Greenwood Mall and a private parcel on Russellville road.

Supporters of the potential development left the meeting feeling cautiously optimistic.

“I believe all of us were a little surprised bu the higher numbers than we had expected, but we do believe that with the community support, we can get there,” said Bobby Lindsey, the president of SOKY Tennis. “We think we can get the amount of money we need to invest and get it done.”

Judge-Executive Michael Buchanon and magistrates did not take any action, but urged the ice hockey and tennis community to work on finding financial partners and sponsors for the proposed venues.

“There is a unanimous consensus among the Fiscal Court to see both of theses things happen,” Buchanon said.