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Parks board recommends Predators lease for Centennial Sportsplex amid dispute over skating programs
Summary
The Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation recommended approval of a lease giving the Nashville Predators operational control of Centennial Sportsplex’s ice rinks; the decision follows public comment urging transparency on program agreements and protections for local skating organizations and user contracts.
The Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation on Wednesday recommended that Metro Council approve a lease giving the Nashville Predators operational control of Centennial Sportsplex’s two ice rinks and the concession area. The board’s acquisition committee recommended approval and the board passed the motion by voice vote; the council will take up the item and hold another public comment opportunity on Dec. 16.
Under the proposed lease, the Predators would assume day-to-day operations of the rink areas, be responsible for major capital improvements and insurance for the leased premises, and share net revenue from ice-rink operations with Metro Parks. The board recorded a committee recommendation in favor of the measure and accepted an amendment described by Chair Michelle Steel as intended “to clarify and to protect the individual agreements between the user groups and the Predators.”
The decision followed public comment that included competing accounts of how local skating programs might be affected. Rob Bridal, a public commenter, urged transparency and parity between City Skate and the Nashville Skating Academy (NSA), asking both parties to “put their cards on the table” and warning that, if no party holds a valid permit by Jan. 1, 2026, the city would be obligated to divide ice time fairly. Bridal also asserted that NSA had been in permit violation.
Bill Fauber, another commenter, disputed those allegations, saying NSA operates a broad program—“it deals with disabilities, it deals with learn to skate”—and noting that while NSA had reported revenues of about $682,000 in a year, it incurred roughly $680,000 in expenses. Fauber said he did not believe NSA was in violation of any agreement with Metro Parks and urged the board to consider program continuity as facility upgrades are planned.
Commissioner Henley introduced the committee’s recommendation and moved approval. Chair Michelle Steel said the vote sends the board’s recommendation to Metro Council, which will consider the lease and a related amendment at a future meeting and provide another public comment chance on Dec. 16.
The board did not establish final operational details in public session; the council’s review will be the next procedural step.
