Preds President Speaks on Potential of Williamson County Facility

There has never been more passion for the game of hockey throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee - and it doesn't show signs of slowing down.
That fact isn't lost on those with influence in Williamson County, and Predators President and CEO Sean Henry hopes to help lead a push to bring a new facility, or perhaps even multiple venues - complete with sheets of ice - in the near future.
Henry took part in a panel discussion at Franklin Tomorrow's Breakfast with the Mayors event, alongside Tennessee Titans President Steve Underwood and Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, among others. The future of sports in the county was the topic of interest with the formation of a Williamson County Sports Authority, seen as a necessity to begin planning for future facilities, including those with sheets of ice.

For Henry, a resident of Williamson County, it's only a matter of time before the Predators expand into the county, much like they've already done with the Ford Ice Center in Antioch and the development of another facility in Bellevue.
"When you look at the businesses that are down here and those who live in Williamson but work in Davidson County, they need this and they want it," Henry said. "It's needed for those that live here, it's needed for the Predators, and even from a revenue standpoint, this is an economic driver. It's not just a fan driver for the Predators, but it's something to bring it all together."
Henry stated that approximately 28 to 30 percent of all tickets to Predators home games at Bridgestone Arena are purchased by residents of Williamson County, a statistic that simply confirms what many already know to be true - the desire to expand opportunities in the sport throughout the county is large.
And while a groundbreaking may not be imminent in Williamson County, the conversation is flowing rapidly, and it's only a matter of time until the ideas will morph into brick and mortar.
"The long-term viability of our franchise is going to come from that 25-year-old young man or young lady who has never known anything different than the Predators being a core of a community," Henry said. "The widespread support that we continue to build, from a youth standpoint, any child who plays hockey, combined with any other sport, is going to be a better teammate and athlete. You combine that with the passion of our fans who live, work and play in Williamson County - this is somewhere we want to be."