Pepsi Ice Center changing names, rink will honor Joe Olson

Posted on July 24, 2019

*The city said Wednesday the ice center located at 201 S. Roosevelt Ave. will be changing names to the Bloomington Ice Center. (WJBC file photo)*

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – The Pepsi Ice Center will be renamed to the Bloomington Ice Center and the ice rink will be named after former hockey director Joe Olson, who died earlier this year.

The City of Bloomington said in a release Wednesday the changes are currently underway and should be complete in the next several weeks.

The ice rink will be named after Olson, who helped build the youth and adult hockey programs at the ice center since its opening in 2006.

“Joe knew the name of every player that came through our doors. We want everyone that ever enters into the rink to know him and all that he has done for the community,” said Michael Hernbrott, ice center manager. “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.”

The city said an official dedication ceremony for the rink will be held at a later date.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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