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Committee backs Predators lease for Centennial Sportsplex with legacy-user protections
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Committee recommended approval of a license and lease with Powers Management LLC (Nashville Predators affiliate) that locks legacy-user rates until July 2027 and limits annual increases to 3%, while preserving community ice access and not renaming Centennial Sportsplex.
The Metro Nashville Planning & Zoning Committee on the evening advanced an ordinance approving a license and lease agreement with Powers Management LLC, an affiliate of the Nashville Predators, to operate the ice rinks at Centennial Sportsplex.
Councilmember Taylor, sponsor of BL 2025-1118, said the amendment attached to the agreement will add Exhibit B to guarantee legacy users’ rates will remain unchanged until July 2027 and that any future increases will not exceed 3% year-over-year. “For the most part we want to keep the same rates,” Taylor said while describing the exhibit and related letters of intent from third parties.
Local skating advocates urged support. Rob Briley, who identified himself as a founder of the nonprofit City Skate Nashville and father of a 9-year-old skater, said the amendment offers fair treatment and access for a learn-to-skate program. Bill Falver, representing long-standing users including the Nashville Skating Academy, said removing access to learn-to-skate programming would “undercut the entire program.”
Michelle Kennedy, president and chief operating officer for the Predators’ affiliate companies, told the committee the Predators do not intend to “gouge” users with pricing increases and that they plan to be “responsible stewards” of the facility. Kennedy said the organization does not plan to change the Centennial Sportsplex name, though it may pursue internal sponsorships over time.
Councilmembers sought clarification that the rate-lock and access protections would be codified in exhibits to the license/lease rather than merely appearing in recital language; special counsel Darby confirmed Exhibit B (rates and legacy-user terms) and Exhibit D (access and community use language) would be added to the agreement.
The committee voted to recommend the amendment’s approval 11-0 and then recommended approval of BL 2025-1118 as amended by voice vote (11-0). The recommendation advances the lease to the full council with the committee’s suggested exhibits and access protections.
The agreement authorizes the Metropolitan Government to enter a license and lease with Powers Management LLC for use of space at 222 25th Avenue North; specific contract terms, inspection periods and implementation steps remain subject to final execution and any required administrative review.
