City officials announced today that the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx will become the world’s largest indoor ice facility.

The planned Kingsbridge National Ice Center will have nine indoor ice rinks that will be open year round, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

It will also include a 5,000-seat rink for national and international hockey and skating events.

“The Kingsbridge Armory will now have an interior program befitting its iconic exterior architecture,” Bloomberg said.

The armory, which is a landmark, has been vacant since 1996.

The city expects 2 million people to visit the rink each year.

Right now, the city hosts seven year-round ice rinks, and none are in the Bronx, Bloomberg said.

Added Rangers NHL Hall of Famer Mark Messier, “As a New Yorker, I know it will also change this city, providing invaluable educational and athletic opportunity to thousands of young people.”

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