Chesterfield could have a new ice hockey facility by spring 2026

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A nearly 90,000-square-foot ice hockey facility could soon be coming to Chesterfield County. The owner of the Powhatan Ice Den is looking to expand with the hopes of attracting a professional hockey team.

The facility would be along Genito Place not far from Route 288 and Powhite Parkway, where The Lake surf park is under construction.

The first building would be 50,000-square-feet and include an NHL-sized rink, four locker rooms, a junior-level suite with coaches’ rooms, a concession stand and a pro shop.

Ryan Winfree will be the new ice hockey facility’s general manager. Fred Festa, Winfree’s father-in-law and a former pro-team owner, himself, is footing the bill for the multimillion-dollar project. The new rink doesn’t have a name yet and won’t be big enough for a pro team, but could serve as a practice facility.

The facility plans have been submitted to Chesterfield County for approval and permitting. Winfree said they are on target to begin site work by the end of the year and hope to start construction early next year so that they may open in May 2026.

“With a new rink, it just increases the availability for hockey and figure skating and — just all the different things that can be done, and expand[s] on things that haven’t been or we haven’t even been able to have in Richmond yet,” Winfree said. “So there are a lot of possibilities that we’re hoping to tap into and continue to grow.”

Richmond hasn’t had a pro hockey team in nearly 20 years, when the Richmond Renegades played at the Richmond Coliseum until 2003, and then the Richmond Riverdogs until 2006.

“We’re looking at tournaments for youth and adults — and just a lot of different programming to help bring people here and help Richmond be that central hockey and ice sports hub that we think it can be,” Winfree said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.