Ice Box announces third rink expansion

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Ice Box is celebrating 50 years of hockey in South Bend and has announced expansion to its facilities in order to add a third rink.

The $12 million expansion plan is designed to allow more teams and more players to take the ice.

The Ice Box started way back in 1974 in the wake of Notre Dame Coach Lefty Smith being tasked with creating the university's D1 hockey program.

Coach Smith was also tapped to help grow future fans and players through the Irish youth hockey league, but there simply wasn't enough time for everyone to use the university's single rink at the Joyce Center.

City officials say the Ice Box contributes about $15 million dollars a year to the local economy every year by bringing in hockey teams tournaments and families.