PEORIA, Ill. – The wife of a longtime Peoria Rivermen player is just as concerned about what happens to the team next season as anyone.
The Rivermen and the Peoria Civic Center are said to be talking about a new lease, but both sides seem to be far apar for, among other reasons, millions of dollars in upgrades that will need to be made, including a new ice-making plant for Carver Arena.
Residents and sponsors alike want a deal to be done, including Emily Hagaman, wife of Dunlap native and Rivermen Right Winger Alec Hagaman.
“In my position (in education), sometimes things get emotional, and I personally don’t appreciate that,” said Hagaman. “We have a group called ‘Operation Save the Rivermen.’ I will do videos every so often, just to fill people in on what’s going on. I will always start and end with ‘Passionate, but respectful.’”
Hagaman tells WMBD’s Greg and Dan she’s not privy to any sort of inside talk between the team and the Peoria Civic Center Authority, but would be devastated if the team left.
Hagaman says she’s tried to talk about the situation with her husband and team management — especially with what seems to be one big public sticking point: the ice-making plant.
“We’ve had those conversations with him, as well as with (Chief Operating Officer) Bart (Rogers). I think he’s sitting right now, trying to get a plan together, because you can’t just come into this with no plan. There has to be some type of plan. As fans, we’re also asking ‘What can we do?’ Nothing really has been said on either end as far as what fans can do. Can we raise money?”
Team ownership has repeatedly declined WMBD’s requests for interviews, despite other sides in the debate having their say.
