The Nicholas Family of Companies today announced it has been selected to develop, build and operate Westfield Ice Facility, a new multi-sheet indoor ice facility in Westfield, a northern suburb of Indianapolis. The facility will be a catalyst for further growth of the Grand Park District, a mixed-use development near the Grand Sports Campus in Westfield. It will also mark the first rinks at the Grand Sports Campus, a major youth sports destination for soccer, football, rugby, field hockey, lacrosse and baseball that hosts more than five million visitors each year.

Westfield Ice Facility will feature three NHL-sized stadium-styled rinks—with a potential fourth rink for future expansion—offering tiered seating for up to 3,500 spectators. The facility aims to deliver a “hat trick” of benefits for the region: prime ice time for youth and adult leagues, accessible public skating and elite-level instruction. Beyond the ice, the facility will function as a community hub, featuring a full-service restaurant, retail spaces, an academic lounge and outdoor activity areas.

“We are honored to partner with the city of Westfield and the Redevelopment Commission to bring this transformative project to life,” said Nick Papanicholas Jr., managing director and CEO of Nicholas Family of Companies. “Our firm brings a proven track record in the development, design, construction and management of ice arenas. This new Westfield facility will create opportunities for youth athletes and families, drive economic activity and serve as a year-round destination for local programming as well as regional and national events.”

The Westfield Facility is the fourth indoor ice arena to be developed or acquired by Nicholas in the past two years and its first outside the Chicago area. Other projects include Rosemont Ice Arena, a 103,000-square-foot facility with dedicated team spaces, a restaurant and bar in Rosemont, Ill., developed and built by Nicholas and opened last year; the 86,261-square-foot Elk Grove Ice Arena in Elk Grove Village, Ill., currently being built by Nicholas and opening this year; and the 63,000-square-foot Glacier Ice Arena in Vernon Hills, Ill., acquired by Nicholas last year. The firm also built and manages the Nicholas Sportsplex in Mount Prospect, Ill.

In its proposal for the facility, Nicholas emphasized its extensive ice arena experience and ability to coordinate design, construction and operations under a single point of accountability. The firm’s Nicholas & Associates division will serve as general contractor for the Westfield project. Its Spectate Group will manage and program the facility, and its Big Fish Hospitality Group will oversee food and beverage offerings. City officials cited the project structure and relevant experience as factors in selecting Nicholas to lead the development.

The new Westfield Ice Facility is expected to attract regional and national ice hockey tournaments as well as other sporting events. Local programming will help develop a pipeline of youth athletes and include instructional classes, sports organizations, hockey and figure skating leagues, public skating, charity events and birthday parties. It also will generate significant economic impact for the region, including increased hotel, restaurant and retail revenue, as well as job creation and community engagement opportunities. The facility is expected to open in 2028.

Fueled in part by a new wave of female fans, the National Hockey League is consistently reporting higher revenue YOY, increased ratings and record-setting attendance, with arenas filled to more than 96% capacity. Youth hockey continues to grow, reaching record participation levels in 2024-25. There were 395,525 registered youth players, including 6,705 new youth members, marking an all-time high. The sport’s growth is especially strong among girls, with more than 98,000 players under age 18 now registered to play, according to USA Hockey.

About the Nicholas Family of Companies:

The Nicholas Family of Companies is a second-generation, family-owned and -operated organization headquartered in Mount Prospect, Ill., with additional offices in Wisconsin and Florida. Companies within the family of companies that are involved in the new ice facility include: Nicholas & Associates, Spectate Group, Big Fish Hospitality Group, and Papago Management. To learn more, visit nicholasfoc.com.

About Nicholas & Associates:

Founded in 1978, Nicholas & Associates is a comprehensive construction management firm providing design/build and general contracting services for projects in the recreation, education, municipal and mixed-use sectors. The family-run firm transforms visions to build environments with a personal approach, making it “distinctly different and deliberately personal.” Nicholas & Associates has offices in the Chicagoland area, Tampa and Milwaukee with a growing national portfolio of projects. To learn more, visit nicholasquality.com.

About Spectate Group:

Spectate Group is a turnkey sports and recreation firm that strives to enhance and elevate the experience of athletes, fans and advertisers. Spectate not only operates arenas and recreation centers but also designs and builds them by leveraging Nicholas & Associates’ construction capabilities. From high-end onsite food and beverage offerings to NHL-regulation- size ice sheets, the company’s venues are designed to please the most discerning palates and athletes of all abilities. Spectate’s facilities include Nicholas Sportsplex, Rosemont Ice Arena, Glacier Ice Arena and Elk Grove Ice Arena (opening 2026). To learn more, visit spectategroup.com.

About Big Fish Hospitality Group:

Big Fish Hospitality Group is a design-build-operate conglomerate focused on bringing fine dining experiences to sports venues and communities in Chicago’s suburbs. The group celebrates the art of hospitality at each of its restaurants, including The Prospect, Big Fish’s Icehouse, Nomad Taco and Hatty’s Club. To learn more, visit bigfishhospitality.com.

About Papago Management:

Papago Management is a commercial property management entity that oversees all Nicholas Family of Companies and Papanicholas Family properties in Illinois. Papago removes the communication and process barriers that typically exist between a lessor and lessee. Tenants realize a beneficial and personal relationship throughout their lease so that they may focus on their respective businesses and residences. Papago oversees more than a dozen properties totaling nearly 1M square feet.