USICERINKS.COM MAY.JUNE.2023 / 25
Community impact
The Clarksville community is relishing
F&M Bank Arena's economic impact.
Near the facility, new restaurants and
retail shops keep popping up—revital-
izing the downtown area. Even beyond
the new construction, Franklin is opti-
mistic about the long-term benefits of
new programming.
"It's going to impact the community
on many different levels," Franklin said.
"Right now, we're looking at it as every-
thing is grassroots related. We're trying
to simply get people on the ice, trying
hockey and then coming off the ice,
sweaty, smiling, and ready to get back
on the ice."
For the first time, that opportunity
exists much closer to home.
"We want people to enjoy the ice hock-
ey that we offer," Franklin said. "But then
on the arena side, too, we want somebody
to come in for a concert and say 'wow, this
is a first-class facility. I don't necessarily
need to drive all the way to Nashville to
enjoy things like this.'
"Ever yone understands that in
Northern Middle Tennessee, that you
would need to travel to Nashville for
things, and that's not necessarily the
case anymore." J
p
Ford Ice Center Clarksville is the third
ice rink built by the Nashville Predators.
The other two are located in Antioch
and Bellevue.
