Engelberth recently began renovations to Dartmouth College’s Thompson Arena, home of the Big Green men’s and women’s hockey teams. The project will replace, renew and modernize the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems of the 83,000 sf hockey arena built in 1975.
Work includes a new rink refrigeration system that will allow for more efficient cooling of the rink slab below the hockey playing surface; new air handling and dehumidification systems which will allow the arena’s air temperature to be adjusted dependant on fan attendance without affecting the ice; new, more efficient arena lighting system and controls; a new snow melt pit for the zamboni room; and the installation of fire sprinkler systems and temperature and climate controls in the locker rooms and other areas. A new set of dasher boards and glass is also planned. The current set of worn boards and badly scuffed glass will be replaced by a state-of-the-art system that will feature more flex upon impact from bodychecks, and tempered and treated glass panels that are more resilient to scuffs and scratches from play.
VanZelm Engineers of Farmington, CT assisted the college with the design. The project is scheduled for completion in September.