Fox Development holding out hope for its hockey-based proposal

Photo by: ProvidedCHAMPAIGN — Despite a feasibility study recommending downtown Champaign be where a potential Division I Illini hockey team play its games, Fox Development Corp. is still holding out hope for its proposed site on St. Mary's Road.

"We still believe that we have a lower-cost option, both in terms of construction costs and already having drainage and utilities on site," Fox Development CEO Andrea Ruedi told The News-Gazette on Friday.

Fox's plan included a 5,000-seat hockey arena attached to a community sports facility with another two ice rinks, along with an expansion of the conference center at the I Hotel.

It completed its own feasibility study in November, which favored its…