32 / MAY.JUNE.2015 RINKMAGAZINE.COM
Know Your Arena
Target Center is the Twin Cities' go-to for
basketball and concerts. Home to hard-
wood and concrete flooring 90 percent of
the year, the seating around the arena is
made primarily for those types of events.
But what makes Target Center extraor-
dinary is its moveable arena floor. It's one
of only two in the entire country and can
be fully raised 5 feet in just 25 minutes
"It's so incredibly unique to have some-
thing like that where the floor actually
raises up," said Moffatt. "A big concern
for fans when you put them in a venue
that isn't specifically designed for hockey
is always the view. With the floor rising 5
feet you wouldn't even notice a difference."
The rising floor is great for fans that
want to be in the action. But for STAR
and arena staff, it also creates some small
issues to overcome. The building's two ice
resurfacers were forced into a crate eleva-
tor, back to back, to reach ice level.
Still, the transition was smooth. Could
it generate further conversation for having
more hockey games at Target Center?
"They want hockey back in the build-
ing, so it's a great way for them to take a
look at that," said Novak.
Working Together
Just like the players on the ice come
together, the entire crew responsible for the
arena's transition had to come together, too.
Target Center staff first began the
transition immediately following a
Timberwolves game before STAR staff
joined later in the week. Reller and a crew
of roughly 35 did everything from getting
the hockey equipment out to helping set
up the glass and boards.
"We couldn't turn this around the way
we did without the help of the arena staff,"
said Moffatt. "It's been a great working
relationship and they are a big factor in
our success." J
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In Transition
