The Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation on [date not specified] voted to recommend Metro Council approve a lease that would give the Nashville Predators operational control of the Centennial Sportsplex's two ice rinks and concession area, while requiring the team to carry insurance and undertake major capital improvements.

The vote followed a public-comment period in which users and program leaders urged the board to protect existing skating programs and clarify how ice time would be allocated under the proposed agreement. Rob Riley urged that "City Skate and the Nashville Skating Academy can and should coexist in Nashville" and asked that the Nashville Skating Academy disclose the terms of its agreements; he proposed dividing Sportsplex ice evenly and warned that "if no party has a permit as of 01/01/2026 ... the city would be obligated to divide the ice fairly."

Other speakers emphasized the facility's value as a community asset and urged the board to require a binding contract rather than letters of commitment. Steve Reiter said the board should "go out there and say, there's been a lot of deferred maintenance" and urged investment in heating, cooling and other infrastructure rather than leaving the site neglected. A commenter introduced by the chair as Bill Faber defended the Nashville Skating Academy and said NSA's programming "deals with disabilities" and serves a wide range of skaters.

Commissioner Henley told the board the acquisition committee recommended approval. Chair Michelle Steele accepted a motion and called a voice vote; she announced the motion passed and said an amendment was added "to clarify and to protect the individual agreements between the user groups and the Predators." Steele told the public there will be another opportunity for comment when Metro Council considers the recommendation on Dec. 16.

What happens next: the board's approval is a recommendation to Metro Council; Council will take a final vote and is scheduled to hear public comment on Dec. 16. The board record shows the recommendation passed at the meeting and preserves the public commenters' concerns about program coexistence, disclosure of agreements, and the need for enforceable contract terms.

Authorities and procedure: Chair Steele cited the board's appeal and notice language under the Metropolitan Code of Laws when opening the meeting; the council-level decision will determine final approval of any lease.

The board adjourned without further action on the Sportsplex beyond forwarding the recommendation to Council.