Regents Approve Yost Ice Arena Ice Systems Improvement Project
11/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved Thursday (Nov. 20) improvements to the ice systems at Yost Ice Arena, the home of the Michigan ice hockey team since 1973-74. The existing equipment has been in use since 1973 and has exceeded its life expectancy. The university has hired Stevens Engineering, Inc. to design the project, which will make sure that the facility continues to operate safely and efficiently for years to come.
The project will include removing and rebuilding the existing rink floor to facilitate replacement of refrigeration piping. Minor architectural changes will occur, including the modification of the current ice equipment room, enclosing the existing Zamboni flood water treatment system, extending the wall in the Zamboni area to increase separation from the west concourse, expanding the existing snow melt pit, and the construction of two new brick screen walls at the south façade of the building to enclose the cooling tower and dumpsters. In addition, the current dasher board system will be removed and replaced to improve the safety of the student-athletes.
The project, which will be funded by Michigan Athletics resources, has an estimated cost of $5.8 million. The new ice systems are expected to impact approximately 22,000 gross square feet within the existing building, with the majority of changes relating to the replacement of the ice rink floor and dasher boards. Construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2015.
