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Photo by: Ryan Roehl
Herb Brooks National Hockey Center to Undergo Facility Improvements following 2025-26 Season
9/4/2025 9:35:00 AM | Men's Hockey, Women's Hockey
$12.9M construction project to begin in March 2026
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – A $12.9 million construction project at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center (HBNHC) is planned to begin in mid-March and be completed in Fall 2026. The state legislature awarded St. Cloud State University funds for the project in June. The HBNHC will have its ice rink cooling plant replaced, which is still the original system from when the building opened in 1989.
The current system uses a R-22 refrigerant that is no longer produced and contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. It will be replaced with a sustainable ammonia refrigerant, which is the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerant available today.
This replacement will guarantee improved reliability and efficiency of the facility so it can continue to serve the campus and community for decades to come.
"We appreciate the support from our legislators, fans and community members who helped show how important this upgrade was for hockey in our region," said SCSU Interim President Larry Dietz. "Of the $60 million in state Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) money awarded for projects at the seven universities and 26 colleges in Minnesota State, nearly $13 million went to SCSU. That's a big deal."
Following the work, SCSU's main and auxiliary rinks will have reduced ice sizes. The main rink will measure 200 by 94 feet, and the auxiliary rink will be 195 by 85 feet. The project also intends to replace dasher boards and shielding to improve player safety, upgrade automatic temperature controls and install new LED lighting in both rinks.
"The new LED lights are estimated to reduce our lighting energy consumption by 35 percent, and the automatic temperature controls could reduce our HVAC energy consumption by up to 20 percent," said HBNHC Director Cory Portner. "These behind-the-scenes upgrades will have long-term benefits for our facility."
The project will be going out to public bids in mid-September, and local contractors are encouraged to submit proposals.
Construction is planned to begin in March 2026 after the conclusion of the 2025-26 collegiate hockey season and continue until fall, during which time both ice sheets will not be available.
SCSU will be working with community user groups and partner facilities to temporarily provide alternative locations for activities during construction.
Tickets for the 2025-26 season are available for purchase at www.scsutickets.com or by calling 1-877-SCSUTIX / 320-308-2137.
The current system uses a R-22 refrigerant that is no longer produced and contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. It will be replaced with a sustainable ammonia refrigerant, which is the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerant available today.
This replacement will guarantee improved reliability and efficiency of the facility so it can continue to serve the campus and community for decades to come.
"We appreciate the support from our legislators, fans and community members who helped show how important this upgrade was for hockey in our region," said SCSU Interim President Larry Dietz. "Of the $60 million in state Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) money awarded for projects at the seven universities and 26 colleges in Minnesota State, nearly $13 million went to SCSU. That's a big deal."
Following the work, SCSU's main and auxiliary rinks will have reduced ice sizes. The main rink will measure 200 by 94 feet, and the auxiliary rink will be 195 by 85 feet. The project also intends to replace dasher boards and shielding to improve player safety, upgrade automatic temperature controls and install new LED lighting in both rinks.
"The new LED lights are estimated to reduce our lighting energy consumption by 35 percent, and the automatic temperature controls could reduce our HVAC energy consumption by up to 20 percent," said HBNHC Director Cory Portner. "These behind-the-scenes upgrades will have long-term benefits for our facility."
The project will be going out to public bids in mid-September, and local contractors are encouraged to submit proposals.
Construction is planned to begin in March 2026 after the conclusion of the 2025-26 collegiate hockey season and continue until fall, during which time both ice sheets will not be available.
SCSU will be working with community user groups and partner facilities to temporarily provide alternative locations for activities during construction.
Tickets for the 2025-26 season are available for purchase at www.scsutickets.com or by calling 1-877-SCSUTIX / 320-308-2137.
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