Rochester Ice Arena, which was built in 1972 as a YMCA, could be upgraded, renovated or replaced, depending what city leaders decide.
After assessing options for the future of Rochester Ice Arena, a study points toward looking for land and constructing a new facility.
City Recreation and Arena Director Lauren Krans said the department worked closely with the city’s public works staff to conduct the study.
“This is a big project, and it is exciting,” Krans said “We know we are looking at years to bring this home, but the ice arena is an integral part of our city. Besides ice activities, many other programs happen here. … The arena is well used, but the building has too many deficiencies now, so we looked at what we could do.”
Cost for new arena estimated at up to $27 million
The estimated cost to buy land and build a new arena ranges from $16 million to $27 million, according to Krans. She said the city is working with Weston & Sampson Engineers of Portsmouth on a plan.
Once a suitable site is located, Krans said, the plan will be brought to the City Council seeking approval.
Krans said bringing the building up to code would have cost an estimated $4.8 million, while a full renovation of the building would have cost an estimated $10.8 million.
Krans said building a new arena on the current Lowell Street property is not an option because there isn’t enough room, and because they have no room to expand. The YMCA owns the land surrounding the arena.
In February, the city began looking at the aging ice arena to explore options for the building. Krans presented three options, to do minimal work to the center in order to bring it up to code, to completely renovate the current building, or to look to build a new arena elsewhere.
“We are not ADA compliant,” Krans said, in an earlier interview. “The arena building was built in 1972, so as you can imagine it needs work. There are roof leaks, and the roof is not rated to meet the current code for snow loads. We have to shovel it when it gets heavy. We cannot add a sprinkler system because the roof does not meet code. We do have a safe roof laser deflection system, so we are alerted if the snow load is too heavy and needs to be removed. There is no immediate safety concern.”
Arena offers more than hockey and ice skating
The ice surface for skating and hockey is obviously a huge component of what happens at the Rochester Arena, but Krans said there is much more.
“We are the home for Spaulding (High School) ice hockey; who are champions,” Krans said. “We host Rochester Youth Hockey and Somersworth/Coe-Brown hockey. We host multiple adult teams, and our own Rochester leagues.”
Krans said the department runs very popular learn-to-skate programs.
“Ice skating teaches resiliency,” Krans said. “We teach how to fall and how to get up. It builds confidence. I love that we do good work, that we have a positive impact on people/kids.”
Krans said the arena is deeply rooted in Rochester.
“A few weeks ago, the city hosted their dog licensing event inside the arena,” Krans said. “We have held Arbor Day events, and many, many other activities. We run fitness classes upstairs every week. It’s about having a large community gathering space where hundreds can get together. Investing in an arena is a great challenge, to have that place where people want to come.”
Krans said as part of this year’s capital budget request, the Recreation Department has requested $22,000 to upgrade the safe roof laser deflection system.
“Now that we have arrived at what seems the best solution, Weston & Sampson will build us a sort of matrix,” said Krans. “As we look at land, public or private, they will assess it for our needs, run it through this matrix and help us with site selection.”
Reporting by Karen Dandurant, Foster’s Daily Democrat. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
