Metal Construction News

PROJECT FOCUS SPORTS & RECREATION

Plymouth State University Ice Arena, Plymouth, N.H.

A feature of the Plymouth State University campus, the Ice Arena features a 4,000-square-foot welcome center inviting visitors to the campus. The facility is 60,000 square feet and home to an NHL-size rink, locker rooms, athletic training rooms and coaches’ offices. The arena seats 860 fans and also serves the surrounding community as a venue for recreational skating and special events. In addition to its large size, the facility also includes an innovative geothermal system that actually creates ice as well as heats the building. “Plymouth State is committed to respecting

the environment,” says Bill Massey, principal with architect, Sasaki Associates. “Working within a very tight, fixed budget, we sought to implement ambitious sustainability initiatives. There are only a few ice arenas in the country that have a similar geothermal system.” To create the arena, Construx Inc. installed more than 15,000 square feet of Metl-Span’s 3-inch CF-36 Architectural Flat insulated wall panels in Metallic Silver, Regal Gray and Polar White.

The Metl-Span panels interface with masonry on the Welcome Center portion and a CME block base that runs the length of the arena. The facility is an integral component of the ALLWell Center, a master-planned 60-acre campus dedicated to athletics, recreation and related academic programs.