Williamsport Mayor Gabriel J. Campana will hold a news conference this week at which time he promises to bring some exciting news for the city.
The conference, set for noon Tuesday at Bowman Field, is tied to economic development, he said.
The mayor is not divulging the specifics of what will be discussed.
However, it is believed by some unnamed sources that Campana will talk about new developments regarding a hockey rink for the city.
"I can't confirm that," he said. "All I can say is that I have been working on a project for 15 years, and I believe that project is going to come to fruition."
Talks about bringing a professional hockey team to Williamsport and building a facility to accommodate the club and other events have been discussed over the years.
Earlier this year, the mayor unveiled plans for locating a rink in the Pickelner Arena at the downtown YMCA.
A local non-profit group, Williamsport Ice Arena and Event Center Group, reportedly was working with Federal Hockey League Commissioner Don Kirnan, who is overseeing the organization.
The New Jersey Outlaws, a minor league hockey team in the Federal Hockey League, have expressed an interest in moving to Williamsport, and, in fact, on its website Saturday the team already is calling itself the Williamsport Outlaws, although there has been no formal announcement concerning the change. A phone message left with the team Saturday evening was not returned.
An unnamed local developer reportedly was close to signing a deal to purchase the property from the YMCA.
The YMCA is being relocated near Williamsport Regional Medical Center where a new facility will be built.
Now, rumors are swirling about building a hockey rink at Bowman Field.
The mayor said his plans for economic development to be discussed at the news conference will involve a project for families.
"I think the whole community will embrace what we are proposing," he said. "That includes all parties."
The mayor said he's hoping citizens attend the news conference.
Bowman Field Commission Chairman Lou Hunsinger Jr., said his board is meeting with the mayor after the news conference Tuesday. However, he said he does not know the specific nature of the meeting, nor of any plans to locate a hockey rink at the historic ball park.
