Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1184562
Prior to Mansfield, seven StarCenters had been erected since the Stars moved to Dallas. But there was still a part of the Metroplex that didn't have a nearby rink; the southern part. "We're the furthest south of the Metroplex," Lee said. "Once you go up north, most (StarCenters) are within about a 20-minute drive." It took four years for the Mansfield StarCenter to get built. There was a need for the rink, but, as is commonplace, the plan was challenged by funding, costs and local politics. "It was a long process to build the building where it was and open in this community," Lee said. "It was a long road for the supporters." After much deliberation, the building finally began construction in January 2018. Constructing the Dream Once construction was under way, there was plenty to do. There were the typi- cal chores that come with opening a new rink. They needed people to come in and begin preparing the ice sheets, building bleachers and assembling the various fur- niture around the rink. One unique facet that comes with build- ing a StarCenter is the need for the Dallas Stars logo to be apparent throughout the facility. Graphics contractors came through and emblazoned areas of the building with the green, black and silver star and name synonymous with hockey in Dallas. In keeping with the NHL theme, each rink would be named after a Dallas Star. The north rink was named after Darian Hatcher, the captain of the Stars team that won the Stanley Cup in 1999. The south rink was named after Brenden Morrow, who played for Dallas from 2006-13. Along with the rinks, the facil- ity also sported three locker rooms for teams, including one for the Mansfield High School team, its primary tenant. StarCenter-Mansfield also added eight additional public locker rooms to support public skates and events in the area. Getting the Building Going Lee didn't arrive in Mansfield until July of 2018, just two months before the open- ing, becoming a part of the mad dash to finish this new facility. USICERINKS.COM NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2019 / 17 IT'S NOT A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE GROW UP KNOWING HOCKEY. IT'S NEW FOR A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE. ONCE THEY GET ON THE ICE, THEY WANT TO GO TO A (STARS) GAME, BUY A T-SHIRT. IT'S JUST GROWING THE GAME OF HOCKEY.