THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 20, 1995 TAG: 9504200501
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEPHANIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Allan B. Harvie Jr. envisions Hampton Roads residents flocking to Chesapeake for the newest flicks, interactive video games and . . . his $2.5 million ice-skating rink.
Harvie, former owner of the Richmond Renegades hockey team, said on Wednesday that he wants to build his Ice Palace in Chesapeake's Greenbrier community - next to Regal Cinema's 10-acre theater and family entertainment complex.
So far, no contract has been signed. But as Harvie sees it, there's a wealth of residents who'd like to don hockey and figure skates - and not enough rinks to go around.
``There's a tremendous market out there,'' said the ponytailed Harvie, wearing a gray pinstriped suit, suspenders and an orange and black tie.
Harvie announced his plans at a news conference attended by Chesapeake Mayor William E. Ward and city economic development officials. Harvie, president of ADANAC Sports Management, has another rink in the Richmond area.
Iceland of Virginia Beach, owned by the Hampton Roads Youth Hockey Association, is the only indoor ice-skating rink in South Hampton Roads that's open to the public.
``Frankly, we'd welcome another rink,'' said Mary Hutchinson, Iceland's general manager. ``With more people participating, the more popular skating becomes. It's more exposure.''
Hutchinson said Iceland may expand because attendance has grown over the years. She had expected business to die down after the Olympic ice-skating fervor. But it didn't.
Harvie in part credits dueling Olympic skaters Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan. Also, he said, television stations have been airing more figure-skating competitions.
The Greenbrier property, owned by Benefit Capital Management Corp., is managed by Goodman Segar Hogan Hoffler. The agent handling the property could not be reached Wednesday.
If all goes as Harvie plans, the 33,000-square-foot facility would open in October in the Crossways shopping center. The ice-skating rink would be located behind Regal Cinemas' 10-acre complex. Regal had planned to open the center this spring, but it is not yet complete. ILLUSTRATION: STAFF Map
[Color Photo]
Allan B. Harvie Jr.
by CNB