New floor brings new life to Bird Ice Arena

Ohio University's Bird Ice Arena recently received a major upgrade beneath the ice. 

The arena’s aging refrigeration floor was replaced over the summer after leaks developed in the pipes underneath the rink. Those leaks made it difficult to maintain consistent ice, leading Bird Arena to use a temporary mat system on top of the existing floor last season. 

“The temporary mat system is typically what you use for temporary rinks at outdoor hockey games,” said Aidan Galasso, assistant director of Bird Ice Arena. “It wasn't sustainable to keep doing that. It's tough to keep consistent ice like that.” 

The new refrigeration floor was installed over the summer with the goal of providing a more reliable ice surface for Ohio University teams, recreational programs and community members. 

“It's the same size playing surface,” Galasso said. “But now it's freezing evenly.” 

The project began with demolition around the middle of March. Work on the subfloor continued through the spring, followed by installation of the new floor system from June into July. The concrete was poured shortly after the Fourth of July, and work on the boards, glass and other finishing touches continued through August. The work was part of a larger, multi-year effort to address some of the arena's most pressing needs, including its chiller and compressor system, as well as other necessary improvements, including to the floor, boards and insulation. 

Serving OHIO students and the community

For Well-Being and Recreation, completing the project also provides more confidence in Bird Arena's future. Director Wes Bondario said that the investment helps preserve Bird Arena as a community resource, giving students and Athens residents access to ice skating and other activities that have been part of the space for decades. 

The ice was painted Aug. 20, the final step of the renovation, and OHIO’s teams began skating on the new surface the following week. Bird Ice Arena officially reopened to the public Sept. 1.

The timing of the project also means Bird Ice Arena was able to have ice earlier than it has in recent years. 

“Being able to have ice by Sept. 1 is the earliest we've had it ready,” Galasso said. 

Galasso said the earlier start allows Bird Ice Arena to make more of its programs available to students and the Athens community throughout the academic year.

“We just want to make it available to people,” Galasso said. “We have a few programs that we weren't able to offer before.” 

OHIO hockey, youth hockey and community events

One example is youth hockey. With the rink available earlier, Bird Ice Arena was able to offer optional hockey clinics before the youth team’s season got underway. About 40 young players participated and received instruction from OHIO hockey players and coaches, including Head Coach Barry Schutte. 

“Being close to the community is part of what we do here,” Galasso said. “Barry and I both feel strongly about helping Athens youth hockey as much as they want or need.” 

The new floor also gives Bird Ice Arena an opportunity to rebuild its connection with the community after several years of limited ice availability. 

In addition to the new refrigeration floor, the summer project included insulation improvements, new painting and a posted glass system around the ends of the rink. The insulation is intended to improve the building's efficiency, while the new glass system was recommended as a player-safety improvement. 

Ultimately, the biggest change is happening below the surface. 

“The project goal was to try to guarantee consistent ice for the foreseeable future,” Galasso said. 

For students, that means more opportunities to use one of OHIO's longtime recreational spaces. Public skating, hockey programs and other ice activities give students a chance to get active, try something new and spend time with members of the Athens community. 

Information about public skating and recreational programming is available through the OHIO Well-Being and Recreation website and social media. Ohio Bobcats Hockey also provides information about upcoming games and events.

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