Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center

Ice Rinks

ICE SYSTEM

Indirect, Ammonia/Brine
Concrete floor

PROJECT COMPLETION

October, 2007

CONSTRUCTION COST

Project: 788,800

OWNER

Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, Minnesota

Clockwise from top left: (1) header and transmission pipes where designed to fit into the existing concrete lined trenches; (2) a new welded steel floor provides the highest level of performance and efficiency (3) concrete is placed over the steel rink piping; (4) new rink circulation pumps and system insulation were installed.

Duluth, Minnesota

Project Scope

The DECC is the home of the Division I, WCHA University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs.  In recent years, maintenance and repairs on the 40 year old ice rink floor had increased substantially.  Corroded rink pipes and settlement and cracking of the concrete floor raised concerns over the reliability and remaining life of the rink floor system.

Stevens was hired to design a new, high performance, rink floor including evaluating options for different types of rink piping systems and the existing concrete structural slab which is located on top of a network of piling.  Challenges on the project included a tight project schedule; existing concrete pipe trenches that could not be modified; and an existing 40 year old refrigeration system with little design data available.  The project was successfully completed, delivering superior ice quality in time for the first Bulldog hockey practice of the season.