Rink

42 / MAY.JUNE.2023 USICERINKS.COM PHOTOS BY: CRAIG FLOR 200' x 89' Project in Pictures One Size Does Not Fit All Looking at ice arenas across the nation, it is odd that if put side by side, it seems that no two ice rinks seem to be exactly the same dimensions. A 200' length seems to have become standard but width and corner radius seem to fluctuate between facilities. Only the NHL states exactly what size the playing surface must be. All other ice hockey governing bodies, including USA Hockey, NCAA, IIHF, etc. lay out recommenda- tions for the dimensions of the ice rink playing surface. Unique Challenges During the design process, it was determined the best that can be accomplished with the perma- nent concrete seating bowl was to shrink the rink from 100' wide to 89' wide and 200' long. We are also changing the 20' radius corners to 22' corners. To change the radius more than that—to be closer to the NHL's mandated 28'—started to drastically limit sightlines in the corners. We were only able to lower the ice sheet 16" due to the building infrastructure as well as main- taining a safe slope on rampway approaches to benches and other ice entrances including the ice resurfacer ramp. When complete, two rows of seating will be added to each side of the rink, adding approximately 250 seats to 3M Arena at Mariucci's capacity. When complete, the ice sheet will be 89' wide by 200' long with 22' radius corners. Ridder Arena's rink dimensions will stay the same when it is upgraded in 2024. J 200' x 100' Original SIze New SIze k Two new rows of seating, totaling approximately 250 seats, will be added upon the project's completion. Reading Between the Lines Governing Body Guidelines for Ice Rink Dimensions NHL: The official size of the rink shall be 200' long and 85' wide. The corners shall be rounded in the arc of a circle with a radius of 28'. USA Hockey: The recommended dimensions of the rink shall be 185'-200' long and 85'-100' wide. The corners shall be uniformly rounded in the arc of a circle. NCAA: As nearly as possible, the dimensions of the rink shall be 200' long and 85' wide. The corners should be rounded in the arc of a circle with a radius of 20'. International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF): The official size shall be 197' long and 82'-98'5". The corners shall be rounded in the arc of a circle with a radius of 23'-28'. Any deviations for an IIHF competition must gain IIHF approval. Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) and National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS): The recommended dimensions shall be 200' long and 85' wide. The corners shall be rounded in the arc of a circle with a radius of 20'-28'. Original corner radius: 20' New corner radius: 22'

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