The Bloomington Ice Garden is better equipped for the primary skating season, thanks to improvements completed in the fall. Built in 1976, Rink 2's ice sheet had a deteriorated cooling system requiring frequent maintenance. It ran the risk of total collapse which could have required closing the rink unexpectedly during the busy winter months. Whereas the previous system used freon throughout pipes under the ice, the new system only contains freon in an equipment room, and uses a secondary coolant, which is less harmful to the environment, under the rink floor. Meanwhile, heat generated by a freon compression process is being reclaimed to help heat the building and control frost penetration of the Ice Garden floor.
Additional Upgrades are Also More Environmentally-Friendly.
The skating facility also upgraded its air handling system with more efficient motors and fans that will improve air quality while lowering heating and dehumidification costs. Other improvements easily visible to visitors include a fresh interior paint job and new hockey boards on Rink 2. Constructed of plastic, steel and tempered glass, the new boards require less maintenance than their wooden predecessors. Many Ice Garden upgrade decisions were based on recommendations from the Center for Energy and Environment, a private firm of engineers who help facilities increase energy-efficiency. Changes Will Reap Ongoing Energy Savings.