Nonprofit Pettit Center Organization Celebrates Facility Purchase

                                     Capital Fundraising Campaign 60% Complete

MILWAUKEE--- January 3, 2007 --- Almost 14 years to the day after celebrating the opening of the Pettit National Ice Center, the nonprofit organization that operates the Olympic Training Site will commemorate an equally important milestone in the history of the facility: The purchase of the Pettit National Ice Center.

On Friday, January 5, 2007 the nonprofit Pettit National Ice Center organization will finalize the purchase of the training center from the State of Wisconsin. A "Passing the Torch" ceremony to commemorate the transfer of the deed will be held at the Pettit Center beginning at 4 p.m.

Bonnie Blair Attending
Internationally-recognized speed skating icon Bonnie Blair, who was on-hand when the Pettit Center first opened, will participate in the ceremony.

"I was still competing when the facility first opened, and as an athlete it was a great and exciting experience to have a rink that could be compared to one of the best in the world," Blair said. "Now as a Pettit Center Board member and still living in the area, this is another great achievement for Wisconsin and everyone who participates in ice sports."

Also participating in the celebration will be:
·*Martin J. Greenberg, Chairman of the Board of Wisconsin State Fair Park
·*Charles I. Henderson, Chairman of the Board of the Pettit National Ice Center
·*Mike Morgan, Secretary of Administration for the State of Wisconsin
·*Steve Roush, Chief of Sport Performance for the United States Olympic Committee

United States Olympic Committee Representative Participating in Ceremony
Steve Roush stated, "The Pettit Center is one of 11 Olympic Training Sites across the United States and has been a strong partner of the USOC since 1992 serving numerous Olympians, top US athletes as well as hosting many successful International events. We look forward to the Pettit National Ice Center continuing to support US athletes as they train and prepare for the Vancouver Olympic Games in 2010."

Community Impact
The efforts of the Pettit Center to support the success of U.S. speed skaters are well known. But it’s what the facility does every day that makes a difference in the quality of life enjoyed by so many Wisconsin residents. The Pettit Center has always been a place where individuals of all ages and abilities can have fun and stay fit – whether they’re skating on the famous Olympic Oval, playing hockey or figure skating, running on the indoor track, taking a skating lesson or even hosting a meeting or celebration in the Hall of Fame room. Annually, the Pettit Center welcomes nearly 500,000 visitors.

Capital Fundraising Campaign
The Pettit National Ice Center recently launched a $4 million fundraising campaign in support of the purchase and the center’s programs. The campaign is already at 60 percent of its goal.

Those individuals and organization’s wishing to contribute can send donations to: Pettit National Ice Center, 500 South 84th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53214

Click here to learn about Pettit Center donation options.

Click here for information on the Friends of the Pettit Center.

Everyone is invited to the Pettit Center for the "Passing of the Torch" ceremony that will begin promptly at 4pm on January 5, 2007.

For more information on the Pettit National Ice Center, please contact Rob Multerer by phone at 414.266.0100, ext. 132 or by email at rmulterer@thepettit.com.