Ice Den Chandler, soon-to-be Arizona’s next premier skating venue, today announced an estimated $3 million repair, renovation and revitalization project to begin this spring at the two-rink facility recently purchased by Coyotes Ice.
During the pre-purchase inspection process, it was determined that the Chandler facility, like the other Polar Ice locations, was in severe disrepair and in need of major reconstruction to bring the facility up to safety code requirements and to meet the professional standards skaters currently experience at Ice Den facility in Scottsdale and elsewhere. The ice plant and floors in particular were on the verge of an irreversible failure that would have forced closure of the facility during the high usage fall and winter skating seasons.
“This will be a completely new facility when we re-open later this summer,” said Mike O’Hearn, president of Coyotes Ice. “Out of necessity, we are replacing all of the interior equipment, ice plant, lighting, roof work and subfloor which had not been maintained as required for the facility to continue in use. New concrete floors will replace the current outmoded sand-based design, which will provide flexibility allowing the venue to be utilized in summer months for indoor soccer, lacrosse, day camps and other activities that are already available at the Ice Den’s Scottsdale location.”
O’Hearn added “We will also be adding other amenities that we feel are necessary for a high quality skating experience including a new retail shop for hockey and figure skaters and a fully redesigned café and snack food area. Additionally, we will aggressively focus on rebuilding the now dormant youth hockey, skating and Learn to Skate programs at the Chandler facility, a process that is already underway. We expect no less than the success we have had at our Scottsdale facility where over 1,000,000 customers annually take advantage of our facility and its unexcelled amenities. On multiple occasions the Ice Den Scottsdale has ranked in the “Top 5” of skating and hockey venues in North America.”
The massive repair and renovation project will cause a temporary closure of the Chandler facility from Monday, April 7th to Monday, August 4th, 2014. During that time skaters are encouraged to continue their skating, training regimens, private lesson instruction and Learn to Skate programs at the Ice Den Scottsdale. Staff will be available to assist with this scheduling process, including assistingIce Den Chandler figure skating and hockey coaches with their private lesson needs.
“We invite all of those who currently utilize the Chandler facility to visit our Scottsdale location so we can help accommodate your equipment and skating needs, and to show you first-hand what the new facility and your future programing will look like when Ice Den Chandler re-opens,” said Julie Patterson, director of skating and programming for both Ice Den facilities. “This brief closure will also provide our administrative staff the opportunity to prepare and properly train the rink personnel in Chandler so they can meet the high quality standards we expect for our customers.”
“We will endeavor to complete this project on time and with as little disruption as possible for our customers,” said O’Hearn. “We appreciate your understanding and support, and assure you that when Ice Den Chandler re-opens this summer it will be a venue the community can take great pride in and enjoy for a long time to come.”
“We are thrilled to see the extensive renovations that are planned for the Ice Den Chandler,” said Christine Mackay, Chandler’s director of economic development. “Not only to be able to keep this tremendous asset available to the community but to see the significant investment the new ownership has planned is truly exciting for us.”
A Grand Re-Opening Celebration is planned for the summer of 2014.
