Foreclosure lawsuit filed against Ice Zone

Photo

Zoldan

Staff report

BOARDMAN

PNC Bank filed a civil foreclosure complaint against Ice Zone Ltd. and its operators, according to the filing obtained by The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, 21 WFMJ-TV.

The complaint, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, reports nearly $1.8 million is owed on the ice rink and part-time practice facility for the Youngstown Phantoms hockey team at its 360 McClurg Road location as well as additional vacant land adjacent to that site.

The Ice Zone property, under Ice Zone Realty Ltd., is valued at about $1.8 million, and the vacant land, under the Zoldan Hutch Land Partnership, is valued at $196,080, according to the Mahoning County auditor’s website.

The complaint claims Bruce Zoldan of Canfield and his business partner, Thomas Hutch of Poland, who own the Ice Zone, are in default on the balance of a $2,826,475 promissory note.

The bank says it is owed $1,793,815 in principal and accrued interest and late charges.

Zoldan, president and chief executive officer of the B.J. Alan Co., known for its Phantom Fireworks, and co-owner of the Phantoms, was cautious on commenting on the recent filing, but did say, “I am still hoping that the Ice Zone continues for many years.”

William A. Weimer, B.J. Alan Co. vice president and general counsel, did not have a comment on the filing.

The Ice Zone opened in 1997 and since then has been through some difficult times. In February 2013, the owners announced the facility would close in May of that year because of the lack of interest in hockey in the Mahoning Valley, according to Vindicator files.

In August 2013, however, the rink reopened after the Phantoms worked out an agreement with the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown for a fifth season. Zoldan told The Vindicator in August 2013 the facility would reopen under a new business model. The Ice Zone remains open.