Late last month, figure skaters and hockey players officially took to the ice on Braemar Arena's newly renovated South Rink, passing the first major milestone in the updates and expansion project. Construction began in mid-March with the total demolition of the old floor, replacing it with a modernized foundation designed to serve skaters for decades to come.

South Rink Upgrades at a Glance:

• Engineered Foundation: Features a modern subfloor heating system, 14 miles of updated coolant tubes, and 520 tons of meticulously poured and cured concrete.
• Improved Coolant: Swapped legacy brine refrigerant for glycol, drastically reducing the risk of corrosion, maintenance needs, and the chances of unexpected mechanical failures like the one that sidelined the South Rink for three weeks last November.

“It's been great seeing smiles and hearing positive reviews from skaters coming off the South rink ice,” said Braemar Arena General Manager Jesse Buchholz. “Now, our attention turns to replacing the East Rink floor.”

Next Up: Revamping the East Rink

About ten years ago the East Rink subfloor heating system failed and the ground beneath the rink floor froze solid. As the frost expanded, it created severe heaves, pushing coolant pipes upward that made the rink floor uneven. For years Braemar staff worked diligently to shave the ice at high points and add extra layers of water at low points in an effort to maintain an ice surface that would be as level as possible. Still, there were slow and fast spots, which was less than ideal for skaters.

“Installing a modern subfloor heating system in the East Rink will transform the experience for both skaters and maintenance staff,” Buchholz explained. “It will eliminate future permafrost buildup, which has caused so many issues in the past. An ice arena’s top priority is delivering quality, reliable ice for skaters, and we’re committed to getting that right for everyone at Braemar.”

In addition to a new floor, the East Rink will receive:

• Flexible Dasher Boards & Glass: Designed to absorb impact better than older board/glass technology and ultimately enhance safety.
• Updated Perimeter Flooring: Durable new rubber flooring surrounding the rink.

Follow @BetterBraemar2027 on Instagram and Facebook for regular updates on the project.