The $6.8 million bill for rebuilding the icemaking system at the H-F Ice Arena got a little lighter thanks to the efforts of Rep. Will Davis, D-Homewood, who procured a $500,000 capital funds grant for the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District.

“In the spirit of the park district and as a token of our thanks and our appreciation we have dedicated a tree in your honor,” Brent Bachus, board president, told Davis as he unveiled the dedication plaque for the tree in Goldberg Park. Fellow board members and H-F parks staff joined in the mini-celebration.

Davis said he worked to support the project because “it’s no secret parks are important, just as schools are important and libraries are important.” He recalled how years ago he would bring his daughter to H-F parks where she got the opportunity to be outdoors playing with other kids.

The park board had appealed to Davis in 2022 to ask for help in covering the unexpected cost of rebuilding the icemaking system after the old system failed in November 2021 forcing a shutdown of the facility for about 18 months. The the old piping system was removed, a new system was installed and staff undertook updates to the building at 777 Kedzie Ave. in Flossmoor.

The board financed $5.5 million of the cost through general obligation bonds. The remaining costs were covered by the park district’s reserve fund. 

To receive the grant, the park district had to share bills for the ice arena work, according to Karen Garrity, superintendent of finance and administration.