Ford Enters Naming Rights Partnership for Ford Ice Center Bellevue

Nashville, Tenn. (March 5, 2019) - The Nashville Predators and Mid-South Ford Dealers announced Tuesday an agreement to name the new Predators rink development in West Davidson County, Ford Ice Center Bellevue, which is scheduled to open in September 2019. Additionally, the Predators and Ford announced that the naming rights of Ford Ice Center Antioch has been extended for five years.
"The environment we created at Ford Ice Center Antioch is something we are more proud of than any other initiative we've taken on," Predators President and CEO Sean Henry said. "We've broken down barriers and have grown youth hockey and skating of all ages, in part because of the support we've received from Ford for everything we've done. Extending our partnership with them into our newest facility in Bellevue is such a natural fit for both sides as we continue to build on the work we started five years ago. Our partnership with Ford, Mayor David Briley, Metro Councilwoman Sheri Weiner and Metro Councilman Dave Rosenberg helped make the Bellevue rink a possibility, and it has resulted in where we are today."
"The Mid-South Ford Dealers are very excited to extend our partnership with the Predators in Antioch and to name another Ford Ice Center in our community," Two Rivers Ford Owner John L. Barker said. "The success of Ford Ice Center Antioch has been a source of pride for our dealers. We believe deeply in valuable causes that better the places we live and work and are looking forward to watching hockey and recreational skating continue to grow under this partnership."

"Our Mid-South Ford Dealers are extremely proud of our long-standing partnership with the Predators," Al White Motors Owner Jerry White said. "The Ford Ice Centers are tremendous assets for our community and we are excited to continue growing these great facilities together."

The 110,000 square-foot Ford Ice Center Bellevue will house two sheets of ice and 12 locker rooms, helping meet the demand for ice for hockey players and skaters of all ages in Nashville and Davidson County. The facility will offer enough seating to host large USA Hockey and U.S. Figure Skating events, in addition to the 2019 NHL Prospects Showcase in September. Patrons will be able to choose from a variety of food and beverage options, including a full restaurant and a Grab and Go Stand, similar to the Twice Daily convenience concession locations at Bridgestone Arena. There will also be a dry-land training facility, a full-service hockey and skating store, a Nashville Predators Alumni lounge and private party rooms available for rental.

"We are proud and excited to be continuing our partnership with Mid-South Ford Dealers at our new, state-of-the-art facility," Ford Ice Center Bellevue General Manager Danny Butler said. "Ford has taken an active role in helping us become an integral part of the Nashville and Antioch communities, and their support has been instrumental in bringing more ice to Davidson County. We are looking forward to building off the success we've had in Antioch at Ford Ice Center Bellevue, with the goal of providing more opportunities than ever for grassroots hockey and ice programs in the area."
With the support of Mid-South Ford Dealers, Ford Ice Center Antioch opened in September 2014 and has grown into one of the country's busiest rinks, hosting hockey players and figure skaters from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

The Antioch facility, which hosts the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy, Jr. Preds AAA program, Little Preds Learn to Play and much more, has operated at full capacity since opening its doors and will serve as the blueprint for the planned programs and events at Ford Ice Center Bellevue.
Ground broke on Ford Ice Center Bellevue in August 2018, and the facility's foundation, walls and roof are currently under construction.