Peoria Rivermen

Peoria Civic Center general manager Rik Edgar says impressive seasons by Carver Arena's two primary sports tenants combined with strong concert sales for a run of successful months.

The Peoria Civic Center Authority and the Peoria Rivermen on Friday jointly announced the team will return for the 2023-24 season, with a renewal option for 2024-25.

The Peoria Civic Center Authority gave updates on upcoming improvements to the facility and approved two purchases at its regular meeting on Thursday, March 23.

The City of Peoria will provide $20 million for needed capital improvements at the Peoria Civic Center, with a new ice plant at Carver Arena among the items on the project list.

In this month's regular conversation with WCBU, Peoria Mayor Rita Ali discusses a broad range of topics, including the benefits of a plan to fund $20 million in Civic Center improvements.

The Peoria City Council is one step closer to an agreement to provide an additional $20 million in funding to the Peoria Civic Center for a range of needed improvements, including replacing the machine that makes ice for the Peoria Rivermen hockey team.

At its monthly meeting on Thursday, the Peoria Civic Center Authority board discussed a proposed $20 million investment from the City of Peoria to address a funding gap for the venue’s wish list of capital needs.

The statement issued Friday afternoon comes after 5th District Councilman and former Rivermen player and general manager Denis Cyr announced the team had "been saved" in a post to a Rivermen Facebook group earlier this week.

While no agreement is officially in place, it appears the Peoria Rivermen could remain at Carver Arena beyond the current Southern Professional Hockey League season.

In her latest wide-ranging monthly conversation with WCBU reporter Joe Deacon, Peoria Mayor Rita Ali discusses the significant progress made by the police department in reducing violent crime.