Pepsi Ice Center being Renamed and Rink to Honor Joe Olson

The Pepsi Ice Center at Grossinger Motors Arena will be renamed and the rink inside will be named to honor the late Joe Olson.

The City of Bloomington announced today (7/24) that the Pepsi Ice Center is being renamed the Bloomington Ice Center.

Additionally, the ice rink inside will posthumously honor longtime Hockey Director Joe Olson who passed away earlier this year. The rink is being named the Joe Olson Rink.

Both name changes should be completed within the next several weeks. An official dedication ceremony will be scheduled and announced in the coming weeks as well.

You can read the complete City of Bloomington press release below.

By: Buck Stevens

Pepsi Ice Center Changes Name to Bloomington Ice Center
Post Date: 07/24/2019 8:48 AM

The City of Bloomington will officially change the name of the Pepsi Ice Center to the Bloomington Ice Center. Additionally, the City will posthumously honor longtime Hockey Director Joe Olson by renaming the ice rink within the Center the Joe Olson Rink. These transitions are already underway and are anticipated to be complete in the next several weeks.

Joe Olson, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year, was instrumental in building the youth and adult hockey programs at the Ice Center since its 2006 opening.

“Joe knew the name of every player that came through our doors. We want everyone that ever enters into the rink to know his and all that he has done for the community,” says Bloomington Ice Center Manager Michael Hernbrott, adding, “It is due to Joe’s efforts that the Bloomington hockey community has grown to include the Bloomington Youth Hockey Association, the Central Illinois Girls Hockey Association, the Mclean County Youth Hockey Association, and the Central Illinois Sled Hockey Association.”

An official dedication ceremony for the rink will be announced at a later date.

For more information on the Bloomington Ice Center’s programs, classes, and events please, contact the City of Bloomington’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department at 434-2260, or visit www.BloomingtonParks.org.