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Planning commission approves conditional use for Armory Hockey Development Center at Greenfield Avenue
Summary
The West Allis Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit and related site, landscape and architectural review for the Armory Hockey Development Center at 1111 W. Greenfield Ave.; the facility will use synthetic ice, open summer 2025 and expects a small staff.
The West Allis Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit and site/landscape/architectural design review for the Armory Hockey Development Center at 1111 West Greenfield Avenue.
The project, presented to the commission as an indoor instruction and training center that will use synthetic ice rather than traditional ice, is proposed for the southern portion of the Festival Foods development. The applicant expects to open in June 2025, operate largely during the September–May season (weekday afternoons/evenings and weekend daytime) with expanded hours in June–August, and to employ two to three full‑time and five to ten part‑time seasonal workers.
Why it matters: The commission found the site could accommodate the use without changes to parking or building exterior. The facility’s synthetic‑ice training systems represent a different business model from a conventional rink and will be the first purpose‑built center of this type in the area, according to staff.
Details: The plan shown to the commission places an east‑side entrance leading to a lobby and pro shop, strength training space, a multi‑sport floor hockey court, a rapid‑shot training system and a synthetic ice surface. The applicant said the rapid‑shot unit has a long lead time and is costly, and that operators may elect to install it later and expand turf initially. “It registers your shot speed, your shot accuracy,” the applicant said of the rapid‑shot system, describing it as a draw for athletes while noting monetization and single‑user constraints.
Parking and site impacts: Staff said no exterior building changes are planned beyond signage. The tenant space fronts about 24 parking stalls; the broader Festival Foods development provides more than 500 shared stalls and an existing refuse area will be used. Building, signage and occupancy permits remain required before opening.
Outcome: The commission moved and seconded approval; the motion passed. No detailed roll‑call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript provided.
Next steps: The approval is subject to obtaining required building and signage permits and to final Common Council action where applicable.
