Ohio University’s Bird Ice Arena has a new refrigeration floor beneath its ice, a summer replacement project that university officials say is already delivering more consistent ice and an earlier start to the season in Athens.
The arena’s aging refrigeration floor was replaced after leaks developed in the pipes underneath the rink, making it difficult to maintain consistent ice. Last season Bird Arena relied on a temporary mat system on top of the existing floor — equipment assistant director Aidan Galasso noted is typically used for temporary outdoor rinks, and was not sustainable.
Demolition began around the middle of March, subfloor work continued through the spring, and the new floor system was installed from June into July. Concrete was poured shortly after the Fourth of July, with boards, glass and other finishing work continuing through August.
The ice was painted August 20, Ohio’s teams began skating on the new surface the following week, and the arena officially reopened to the public September 1 — the earliest Bird has had ice ready in recent years, Galasso said. The playing surface is the same size, but now freezes evenly.
The project was part of a larger multi-year effort addressing the arena’s chiller and compressor system, floor, boards and insulation. The summer work also included insulation improvements intended to improve efficiency, new painting and a posted glass system around the ends of the rink, recommended as a player-safety improvement.
Director of Well-Being and Recreation Wes Bondario said the investment helps preserve Bird Arena as a community resource for students and Athens residents. With the rink available earlier, the arena offered optional youth hockey clinics before the season, drawing about 40 young players who received instruction from Ohio hockey players and coaches, including head coach Barry Schutte.
Bird Ice Arena is home to Ohio’s ACHA hockey programs, the Athens Youth Hockey Association, learn-to-skate and figure skating programs, intramural broomball and public skating sessions. University officials said the renewed floor, boards and insulation work address some of the facility’s most pressing needs after several years in which limited ice availability constrained scheduling for both campus and community users.
Galasso said the goal was to guarantee consistent ice for the foreseeable future, and the earlier start lets the arena restore programs it could not offer in recent years. Information on public skating and recreation programs is available through Ohio University’s Well-Being and Recreation office.