A Zoom meeting run last week by Campus Recreation was held for University students regarding the possible closing and/or renovations of the campus Ice Arena. The Ice Arena is not set to close down anytime soon.
The possible closure of the Ice Arena is a result of significant wear on the building, which was originally constructed in 1931. The University is in the process of gathering student feedback and information about what would benefit everyone the most.
According to Elizabeth Wessel, a member on the executive board for the synchronized skating team, a survey was sent out to 5,000 students in an attempt to get student feedback about the future of the ice rink.
“I don’t think there’s a definite answer on any of that yet,” Wessel said.
The survey gave students the option to vote on whether they would like to renovate the Ice Arena, repurpose it with an indoor multipurpose court or repurpose it with an indoor turf field. Repurposing the Ice Arena would be funded by an increase in student fees.
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The meeting mentioned that the question of what students wanted to do with the Ice Arena would be asked as a referendum question to the entire student body during student elections in the spring. The future of the Ice Arena is still a conversation being held, with nothing set in stone.
“They’re looking at all of the options available,” Wessel said. “Students are still learning what (the renovations) might be because currently thatʼs just a Campus Rec and University conversation.”
Without the Ice Arena, campus teams like the synchronized skating team, the men’s and women’s hockey teams, the speed skating team and many more wouldn’t have a place to practice or skate. The ice rink itself is open to public skating and offers KIN 104: Skating Activities.
“I think the most important thing that students can do is show their support for the Ice Arena,” Wessel said. “We have super fun games and shows that everybody can come and watch, all those are great ways to show support.”
Students can find public skating events to attend by going to the University Ice Arena website.
More information is still being released on the renovation and/or closing of the Ice Arena and can be found on the Campus Recreation website.
“Come out to show support and come to the Ice Arena and see everything that happens there, come see the games, come see the shows, come to public ,” Wessel said. “It’s a great time there.”
