Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1000673
In construction meetings early on, planners wondered, "What can be a signature piece of the building, and how do we capture the skyline?" They talked about glass, and those who'd played hockey said, "Glass won't work. What's the next option?" And so, the group of construction engineers put their heads together and found a local company who could send them samples and put in the special glass, though they hadn't installed it in an arena before. Spencer's pleased with the results, as well as the new arena's other amenities. "The quality of the ice is second to none. It's NHL-ready ice," says Spencer. "Many of the rinks across Minnesota are, you know, they're older rinks, and like anywhere in a northern climate, they're a little cold. So, many fans and spectators have commented on just how comfortable the environment is." During ice cuts, families can run downstairs to grab a bite at restaurants like Stacked Deck Brewing or Tim Horton's, which share the building. They can even pick up a prescription at the drug store. The basement is home to a Wild training facility and locker room. Just a handful of months into operations, TRIA's future is looking bright. Spencer wants to emphasize that the arena isn't there just to serve the Wild, but the whole community. He wants the rink to continue contributing to Minnesota's longstanding hockey legacy. "I mean, we had a record of 51 Minnesota-born NHLers on rosters here (this season), and that number just continues to grow," Spencer says. "We take a lot of pride in the fact that as a state we're still No. 1 overall in participation with over 55,000 youth participating in hockey. We just hope that TRIA Rink will continue to build on that number and get more and more kids involved in the sport, because we do feel the sport creates good business, and that's probably the most exciting part of this whole process." J Featured Rink TRIA Rink | | St. Paul, Minn. "WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN THE FACT THAT AS A STATE WE'RE STILL NO. 1 OVERALL IN PARTICIPATION WITH OVER 55,000 YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN HOCKEY. WE JUST HOPE THAT TRIA RINK WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THAT NUMBER AND GET MORE AND MORE KIDS INVOLVED IN THE SPORT, BECAUSE WE DO FEEL THE SPORT CREATES GOOD BUSINESS, AND THAT'S PROBABLY THE MOST EXCITING PART OF THIS WHOLE PROCESS." 20 / JULY.AUGUST.2018 USICERINKS.COM PHOTOS: KELSEY CHERWINKA , While TRIA is likely best known as the Wild's practice home, it will host a number of youth, high school and college events in addition to being the state's pro team's practice facility.