City of Maryland Heights approves new management agreement for Centene Community Ice Center

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The City of Maryland Heights approved a new management agreement Thursday night at it's city council meeting that will see the Oak View Group become the new managers of the Centene Community Ice Center.

As part of the five-year agreement, the Oak View Group will manage financial operations and provide regular financial reports to the city. Additonally will now have exclusive rights to manage all food and beverage operations at the Center, including the option to subcontract these services.

"This revised management structure aims to bolster revenue generation and financial stability," the city said in a statement. "This new management agreement underscores the City’s dedication to preserving the Centene Community Ice Center as a premier venue for sports and community events."

In June 2024, the City of Maryland Heights mutually agreed to part ways with the St. Louis Legacy Ice Foundation, a non-profit affiliated with the Blues.

The 300,000 square foot facility has faced some trouble in it's brief history. It first opened in September of 2019, six months before the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the world.

It was also reported the arena failed to charge sales tax for it's first four years, leading to a revenue shortfall.

The termination did not affect the Blues status at the facility, as Blues President Chris Zimmermann told KMOX in June they Blues would still hold practices at the facility that houses four rinks and a concert venue. The Blues will still be able host programming and events at the facility, including their annual prospect showcase later this fall.

"We have a 30-year lease, we love the facility, this fall we get to host a prospect camp, with the Blackhawks and Wild," said Zimmermann on the Chris and Amy Show in June. "We're continuing to help bring great hockey to that facility, events that we just wouldn't able to have and host without it. As far as the Blues go and our appreciation for the facility, all of that is status quo."