Dear Campus Community,
We are pleased to announce that the long-anticipated ice rink floor and refrigeration system renovation at the Houston Field House at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will officially commence on Friday, March 6, with substantial completion anticipated by early September.
This significant investment represents an exciting new chapter for our campus and for RPI’s proud and competitive hockey tradition. The upgraded rink and supporting systems will enhance performance, safety, and the overall experience for our student-athletes and fans alike. It is an important step forward for the future of hockey at RPI.
What to Expect in the Early Phases
The project will begin with:
- Removal of the existing dasher boards surrounding the rink
- Removal of the temporary ice mat
- Demolition of the concrete floor and all piping and pumping systems
- Removal of the entire existing refrigeration system
To support construction activities:
- Access along the east exterior end of the fieldhouse will be restricted to authorizedconstruction personnel only.
- A Fire Lane will be maintained around the perimeter of the building at all times
- Contractors will stage materials and will be parking on the east side of the B Lot for the duration of construction.
During Construction
- Access to the main arena and south side of the building will be off limits to non-construction personnel throughout the duration of the project
- The Athletic spaces on the north side will continue to be accessible by athletics.
- Elevated background noise should be expected inside the facility, particularly during the saw cutting and removal of the existing concrete and steel ice floor.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we undertake this transformative initiative. The result will be a new high-quality ice floor supported by a state-of-the-art, climate-friendly CO2 refrigeration system. We are excited to see our beloved fieldhouse revitalized with a new ice floor to strengthen RPI’s hockey programs and to enhance our campus community for many more years to come.
We will continue to share updates as key milestones are reached.
Further questions about the project can be directed to either Kristie Bowers at bowersk@rpi.edu or Liesl Hammer at hammea2@rpi.edu
Let’s Go Red!