The city of Savannah has decided to move forward with plans to close the Savannah Civic Center, leaving the Savannah Ice Hockey league without a place to practice. The decision has left players like Brenden Robertson devastated as they face an uncertain future.“Right now, we’re living in a reality where we just don’t have alternatives that are usable,” Robertson said.Robertson grew up playing hockey with his brother at Lake Mayer Park in Savannah. He says the closure of the Civic Center eliminates the only ice rink available in the area, and without it, the league is left to find a solution on its own.More than 300 players across the league’s competitive, recreational, adult, and youth teams are left without a place to play. Some are considering the outdoor, uncovered and worn hockey rink at Lake Mayer as a last resort.“This is where we grew up playing,” Robertson said. “The facility came here a couple decades ago, and now, without that roof over it, it’s just totally weathered. There are cracks in it.”The decision to close the Civic Center was finalized during the Savannah City Council meeting on Thursday. Savannah Alderman Detric Leggett acknowledged the community’s concerns during the meeting.“I know there’s a little league team, hockey team, that’s asking for space as well as some adults,” Leggett said. “And now we have to look at what we’re going to do for our winter skating events.”There is hope for the league, but it won’t come until at least next year. City leaders are looking to relocate the team to a new facility currently under construction in Port Wentworth.“The future of public skating is going to really be at the Port Wentworth facility,” Savannah City Manager Jay Melder said. “It’s a partnership with the Ghost Pirates.”Robertson says that for now, the league’s only choices are to put their beloved sport on pause, make do with the rink they cannot skate on at Lake Mayer Park, or travel to Charleston, South Carolina, or Jacksonville, Florida, to play.

SAVANNAH, Ga. —

The city of Savannah has decided to move forward with plans to close the Savannah Civic Center, leaving the Savannah Ice Hockey league without a place to practice. The decision has left players like Brenden Robertson devastated as they face an uncertain future.

“Right now, we’re living in a reality where we just don’t have alternatives that are usable,” Robertson said.

Robertson grew up playing hockey with his brother at Lake Mayer Park in Savannah. He says the closure of the Civic Center eliminates the only ice rink available in the area, and without it, the league is left to find a solution on its own.

More than 300 players across the league’s competitive, recreational, adult, and youth teams are left without a place to play. Some are considering the outdoor, uncovered and worn hockey rink at Lake Mayer as a last resort.

“This is where we grew up playing,” Robertson said. “The facility came here a couple decades ago, and now, without that roof over it, it’s just totally weathered. There are cracks in it.”

The decision to close the Civic Center was finalized during the Savannah City Council meeting on Thursday. Savannah Alderman Detric Leggett acknowledged the community’s concerns during the meeting.

“I know there’s a little league team, hockey team, that’s asking for space as well as some adults,” Leggett said. “And now we have to look at what we’re going to do for our winter skating events.”

There is hope for the league, but it won’t come until at least next year. City leaders are looking to relocate the team to a new facility currently under construction in Port Wentworth.

“The future of public skating is going to really be at the Port Wentworth facility,” Savannah City Manager Jay Melder said. “It’s a partnership with the Ghost Pirates.”

Robertson says that for now, the league’s only choices are to put their beloved sport on pause, make do with the rink they cannot skate on at Lake Mayer Park, or travel to Charleston, South Carolina, or Jacksonville, Florida, to play.