The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that beginning in the 2020-2021 season, the new Wake Competition Center will serve as their new practice facility.
Raleigh Center Ice on Hodges Street in Raleigh has served as the Carolina Hurricanes practice facility since 2011. But now the time has come for the Hurricanes to move on. Beginning next season, the newly constructed Wake Competition Center in Morrisville, NC.
The new Wake Competition Center state of the art ice skating facilities will house 2 rinks over 115,000 square feet. It will also be able to seat over 1,700 people. This will provide plenty of space for the Hurricanes to practice. As well as all the youth, college, and other hockey teams that use the Hurricanes practice facility.
It also has multiple soccer fields, volleyball facilities, gymnastics facilities, an orthopedic center, and athletic lab.
It's a construction site for now, but coming soon in Morrisville: A brand new practice facility for the #Canes.https://t.co/rHoCoenWgy pic.twitter.com/ETz6IaHhRm
— Michael Smith (@MichaelSmithNC) December 6, 2019
It was stated on the press release this morning that the Hurricanes will have a permanent 12,000 square foot area in the new complex. Complete with coaches’ offices, locker rooms, medical areas, and equipment space.
Jeff Ammons, the man who designed the new Wake Competition Center, had this to say about the move for the Hurricanes;
"“We’ve been proud to work with the Hurricanes over the years, with Raleigh Center Ice serving as the team’s official practice facility. But we’ve also recognized the need for upgraded facilities for the Hurricanes, and to enhance our ability to host youth and college hockey tournaments in the Triangle. We’re excited about this partnership and the long-term future of hockey in North Carolina.”"
And he’s correct in saying that. I’ve discussed the Hurricanes practice facility with my friends and we all had the same thoughts. Though Raleigh Center Ice is nice, it definitely needed some renovations and upgrades.
Plus, it’s small. It’s not so bad when it’s just the Canes practicing in the morning. But on days when their practice is followed by pee-wee league games. Good luck getting around in there. The Hurricanes are full grown NHL players, they need some room to move around.
With the upcoming renovations to PNC arena, I feel that in the long run, the Hurricanes management made the correct decision in just deciding to move their practice facility all together rather than have RCI renovated.
Myself along with so many other Caniacs will be thankful for the memories made at Raleigh Center Ice. But now it’ll soon be time to make some new ones at Wake Competition Center.