The Vermilion County Bobcats hockey season is due to start very soon, but there are some disagreements between the team front office and the David S Palmer Arena Board. A lawsuit has been filed by team ownership claiming that problems at the arena were not adequately taken care of last season. The arena board released a counter-statement saying everything has been taken care of, and all is ready for the 2022-23 Bobcats season.
Danville mayor Rickey Williams, Jr says he believes the David S Palmer Arena is ready for hockey, and hopes both sides can come together.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: More than anything else, I hope the parties can work this out. I believe the arena has more than addressed all of the concerns that (team owner) Ms. Tulley had, so I hope that she will end this unnecessary lawsuit, so that we can all have a great hockey season and support the Bobcats like we did last year, but hopefully even better.
In a statement released Thursday, interim arena board chair and head of the finance committee Dean Shore stated “Our Board will continue to evaluate and improve the Arena in a financially responsible way that will ensure the longevity of the Arena for generations to come.”
The first Vermilion County Bobcats home game is scheduled for Friday, October 21st.
THE FOLLOWING IS A COMPLETE 10-13-2022 STATEMENT FROM THE ARENA BOARD:
Response to Release from Vermilion County Bobcats:
The Board and its interim general manager have continued to work with the Bobcats to prepare for the upcoming season. This press release and the comments contained therein come as a genuine surprise, as continual meetings have occurred between the interim GM and the Bobcats front office.
Regarding any allegation that the ice is unsafe, the team played the entire season fifty-six (56) games more than twenty-five (25) games at home finishing the 2021-2022 season (5-51). None of which were cancelled by the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) due to dangerous
ice conditions. The only game that was cancelled was done at the request of the Bobcats, in October 2021, after voicing safety concerns regarding the ice.
The Palmer Arena invited one (1) independent consultant, and the Bobcats invited one (1) consultant to inspect the ice. Both consultants indicated there were no issues or safety concerns with the ice. Prior to every game, and at the beginning of each period, officials from the SPHL (referees) skate the ice looking for any defects or potential safety concerns. Nothing has been received, to date, that any standards for the ice have not been met.
Regarding the new Zamboni and its operation, on September 20 and September 21, 2022, a representative of the U.S. Ice Rink Association was on site, training Arena staff on ice maintenance and using the Zamboni. Further, on October 4, 2022, a date previously provided to the Bobcats, Olympia, the manufacturer of the Zamboni had a representative trainer in Danville for more than six (6) hours. He provided training to more than six (6) employees of the Arena regarding the operation and use of the new Zamboni.
Additionally, the Board approved the purchase of a new ice covering system to ensure the continued protection of the ice during nonhockey events. As our interim chair and head of the finance committee, Dean Shore, would stress, “our Board will continue to evaluate and improve the Arena in a financially responsible way that will ensure the longevity of the Arena for generations to come.”
The Arena is aware of three (3) instances, prior to May 2022, where there were issues with the drainage in the locker rooms. Upon becoming aware, the Arena contacted the City of Danville. The City of Danville jetted out the lines to make sure it was free of any debris. After discovering that there was an issue in drainage approximately five (5) feet under the shower drain, which allowed debris to collect, the Arena contacted a local company to inspect and repair the issue. The matter was remediated on May 24, 2022.
Further, a local company, Newtons Cleaning and Restoration, professionally cleaned and sanitized the locker rooms after each incident. Newtons
was again on-site October 12, to clean and sanitize the locker rooms ahead of the beginning of the season.
Regarding a lack of concessions, the Bobcats were made aware, while concessions could be limited until a new concessions manager was hired, pre-packaged concessions and popcorn, beverages, as well as alcohol would still be available for every game. After interviewing and reviewing applications for that position, a new concessions manager has been hired as of October12, 2022. The Arena expects to provide full concession service for the 2022-2023 season.
The Board of Directors and Bobcats staff have sat down as recently as October 5, 2022 to continue discussing preparations for the 2022-2023 season. The Board of Directors, comprised solely of volunteers, continues to want to look forward to a productive season for not only the Vermilion County Bobcats but also for our Vermilion County community events. The Board continues to strive to uphold its mission to provide indoor fun for everyone, as well as its vision to be a safe and family-friendly community center.
