Solar Bears update chamber on Winter Garden move

Jason Siegel, president and chief executive officer of the Orlando Solar Bears, was among the attendees at the Before Hours event hosted March 5 by the West Orange Chamber of Commerce. He also spoke to the crowd, updating Chamber members on the professional hockey team and its future move into Winter Garden.

He explained the franchise’s commitment to the Central Florida community and said West Orange County can expect the same.

In their first two seasons, the Solar Bears have participated in more than 200 local events and made donations of more than $730,000 to approximately 400 non-profit organizations. 

According to Siegel, the players practice in the mornings, train in the afternoons and then spend time doing activities like volunteering at area schools.

Siegel said he is proud to bring the affordable family entertainment to Winter Garden and said the facility will offer youth hockey games and tournaments, college and men’s leagues and figuring skating.

The Solar Bears purchased 16 acres of land next to Duke Energy for the Orlando Hockey Center, a 125,000-square-foot facility with two ice rinks and all of the corporate offices. The organization is now in the process of selecting a builder.

The Richard DeVos family brought the Solar Bears to Orlando from 1995 to 2001. After an 11-year absence, Siegel said, the team “was brought back out of hibernation.”