Rink

Shrinking the Rink: 3M Arena at Mariucci Project in Pictures I n 1993, the University of Minnesota n 1993, the University of Minnesota opened the opened the 'new' Mariucci Arena. The 10,000-plus seat rink with 'new' Mariucci Arena. The 10,000-plus seat rink with a 100' x 200' Olympic ice sheet lends itself to the free- a 100' x 200' Olympic ice sheet lends itself to the free- wheeling style of play of Minnesota's "Pride on Ice." wheeling style of play of Minnesota's "Pride on Ice." Renamed 3M Arena at Mariucci since 2017, several needs and Renamed 3M Arena at Mariucci since 2017, several needs and desires have been discussed for many years leading up to the desires have been discussed for many years leading up to the 2023 project of 'Shrinking the Rink.' 2023 project of 'Shrinking the Rink.' No. 1 was a 30-year-old refrigeration system that has No. 1 was a 30-year-old refrigeration system that has exceeded its projected lifecycle. That original system exceeded its projected lifecycle. That original system utilized R22 Freon that, starting in 2020, can no longer be utilized R22 Freon that, starting in 2020, can no longer be manufactured or imported into the United States. Although manufactured or imported into the United States. Although well maintained, the ice refrigeration system was beginning well maintained, the ice refrigeration system was beginning to show its age with components wearing out and it getting to show its age with components wearing out and it getting harder to find replacement parts and system components to harder to find replacement parts and system components to keep the plant operating as efficiently as possible. The cost keep the plant operating as efficiently as possible. The cost of these items as well as the cost of R22 Freon refrigerant of these items as well as the cost of R22 Freon refrigerant was becoming a huge concern. was becoming a huge concern. Starting on March 20, 2023, three days after 3M Arena Starting on March 20, 2023, three days after 3M Arena at Mariucci hosted the Big Ten Championship Game, ice at Mariucci hosted the Big Ten Championship Game, ice was melting, dasher boards began to be removed, and crews was melting, dasher boards began to be removed, and crews started mobilizing to begin work on the ice refrigeration started mobilizing to begin work on the ice refrigeration system. The project will change the refrigeration system from system. The project will change the refrigeration system from a direct flooded system to an ammonia indirect ice plant that a direct flooded system to an ammonia indirect ice plant that will eventually serve both 3M Arena at Mariucci and Ridder will eventually serve both 3M Arena at Mariucci and Ridder Arena, supporting two of the top teams in Division I men's Arena, supporting two of the top teams in Division I men's and women's college hockey. and women's college hockey. As long as this project was replacing the refrigerated floor, As long as this project was replacing the refrigerated floor, the decision to 'Shrink the Rink' has also been addressed. the decision to 'Shrink the Rink' has also been addressed. A closer look at Mariucci Arena's rink floor replacement project By CRAIG FLOR 38 / MAY.JUNE.2023 USICERINKS.COM

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