AmericanWest Bancorp., the Spokane-based parent of AmericanWest Bank, says it has accepted an offer to sell the former Ice World USA skating rink in Liberty Lake that it acquired through foreclosure three years ago.


The skating rink, which opened in late 1999 at 21510 E. Mission, has been closed for more than a year, says Tim Cassels, AmericanWests chief financial officer. Cassels declines to say who the buyer is or what plans there might be for the building. He says, though, that AmericanWest marketed the facility as a multi-use commercial property, rather than as an ice skating rink, and that the buyer doesnt plan to use it as a skating rink.


Cassels also declines to disclose the purchase price, though AmericanWest disclosed in its most-recent quarterly report to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that the property was being carried on its books at $1.1 million, and that the sale would result in fully covering the asset.


He says he doesnt know yet when the sale will close. Were waiting on a couple of things from the buyer before we can proceed, Cassels says.


Ice World USA was owned by a group of investors that included former Spokane native and NFL football star Mark Rypien. The business venture, however, suffered financially, and it and its five owners were involved in a number of lawsuits.


In court documents, some of Ice Worlds owners also questioned whether the skating rink operation should have to repay its loan from AmericanWest, alleging that they werent told by the bank that another group planned to open a competing rink in the Spokane Valley. That rink, Planet Ice, opened about the same time at 3212 N. Eden. AmericanWest also loaned money to that rinks operator, and ended up foreclosing on it.


Cassels says that AmericanWest is not a defendant in any lawsuit involving Ice World.


He says Planet Ice, which continues to operate, has a carrying value of $1.9 million and is still being marketed for sale.