Ice Arena Walkthrough Thoughts
Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 5:52 pm
First, I wanted to thank the BGSU Ice Arena Director Jamie Baringer for taking time out of her day to let Todd and I walkthrough and take a pictures. Here's a few mental notes I took and some questions Jamie answered for us:
- They are expecting ice on the main rink to be down by September 1st and for the arena to be available to the general public before the first Falcon home game.
- I got the feeling that the skate tread likely won't be replaced by the time the puck drops against Michigan but maybe would be a "Christmas" project.
- There are currently 3 "phases" of the construction. What we're seeing this summer is Phase 1.
- Phase 2 will include a reno of the lobby area with the addition of a new concession area and other aesthetic changes including a reno of the lounge area. For now the "mini-rink" will be standing room only for spectators but may be expanded if funding is secured for the Phase 2 renovations.
-Phase 3 would be a more extensive reno of the arena to help modernize it to add things like loge's, a new Falcon Club lounge, etc.
***Please note that Phase 2 and 3 are completely dependent on financial considerations including University and Donor funds. Just IMO I would hope the University would pick up the tab for Phase 2 while donors funded Phase 3.***
- The lights will probably be the biggest noticeable difference to the untrained eye. The only lights on during our walkthrough were those directly over the ice and they were as bright as last years when all lights were on.
- The "studio ice" locker rooms will share showers with ice arena staff acting as crowd control.
- The skate shop/office area on the South end will be renovated and done this Summer.
- Despite fears of curling being gone there will still be 3 curling lanes on the "mini-rink." This rink will be used mostly for mite-games, curling, intramurals, and practices while the main rink is occupied. I don't think people understand how important this is for the financial health of the arena.
Once again, thank you very much to Jamie and the construction crew for their willingness to let us walk around. If you have any questions about the video to be posted soon on the front page just let me know in this thread and I'll answer them the best I can. Please note that Todd took plenty of pictures so there will be some more detail in what you see there. I never claimed to be a pro at any of this stuff so hopefully this gives people a little more perspective.
- They are expecting ice on the main rink to be down by September 1st and for the arena to be available to the general public before the first Falcon home game.
- I got the feeling that the skate tread likely won't be replaced by the time the puck drops against Michigan but maybe would be a "Christmas" project.
- There are currently 3 "phases" of the construction. What we're seeing this summer is Phase 1.
- Phase 2 will include a reno of the lobby area with the addition of a new concession area and other aesthetic changes including a reno of the lounge area. For now the "mini-rink" will be standing room only for spectators but may be expanded if funding is secured for the Phase 2 renovations.
-Phase 3 would be a more extensive reno of the arena to help modernize it to add things like loge's, a new Falcon Club lounge, etc.
***Please note that Phase 2 and 3 are completely dependent on financial considerations including University and Donor funds. Just IMO I would hope the University would pick up the tab for Phase 2 while donors funded Phase 3.***
- The lights will probably be the biggest noticeable difference to the untrained eye. The only lights on during our walkthrough were those directly over the ice and they were as bright as last years when all lights were on.
- The "studio ice" locker rooms will share showers with ice arena staff acting as crowd control.
- The skate shop/office area on the South end will be renovated and done this Summer.
- Despite fears of curling being gone there will still be 3 curling lanes on the "mini-rink." This rink will be used mostly for mite-games, curling, intramurals, and practices while the main rink is occupied. I don't think people understand how important this is for the financial health of the arena.
Once again, thank you very much to Jamie and the construction crew for their willingness to let us walk around. If you have any questions about the video to be posted soon on the front page just let me know in this thread and I'll answer them the best I can. Please note that Todd took plenty of pictures so there will be some more detail in what you see there. I never claimed to be a pro at any of this stuff so hopefully this gives people a little more perspective.