Bloomington Ice Garden
Modernizing and improving this historic, 50-year-old facility to meet the community’s needs for the next 50 years and beyond.
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Watch BIG’s metamorphosis in this fun time-lapse video!
Project Updates
Visit this page often for updated project information.
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November 2025: A grand opening celebration is held on November 8, 2025, 12 - 5 p.m. This celebration was open to the public and included FREE and FUN activities throughout the facility!
October 2025: On October 1, the first skating practices take the ice on all three rinks for the 2025-2026 skating season! Construction continued in several areas of the arena and guests were advised to stay out of areas marked “closed.”
September 2025: A ribbon cutting event is held September 30 at BIG to celebrate the facility’s soft reopening for skating. The event was attended by Bloomington’s mayor, city council members, City executive leadership and staff, Minnesota state legislators, Bloomington school board members and district leadership, PARC commissioners, board members and leaders of various youth hockey and figure skating groups and associations, construction, architectural and design contractors, and representatives from the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District.
August 2025: Ice production begins on all three rinks! Creative Color – Graphics and Print Studio chosen for mural installation on high school rink in the second level mezzanine.
July 2025: Minnesota artist Adam Turman selected to design a mural for the entry vestibule at Bloomington Ice Garden. Adam drafted a sketch design entitled “Meant To Be Here,” inspired by focus group and stakeholder input and sought public input on the final design through an online survey.
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May 2025: Pouring outer perimeter and installing subfloor heating systems for Rinks 1 2. CMU walls installed for single-user restrooms off lobby area. Steel joist installed for high school locker rooms and new stadium seating. Footings for new stadium seating poured. New plumbing install continuing for all areas.
April 2025: Demolition work nears completion.-Work continues on below-grade plumbing, pouring new floors in locker rooms and lobby areas, block work for Rink 3 bleachers and new Rink 1 and 2 lounge area. Roofing work started.
March 2025: Comprehensive interior work begins, including Rink 3, main concourse, and concessions. Removal of rink floors and demolition work throughout the facility.
February 2025: Construction of new ice mechanicals room on east side of building begins.
January - February 2025: Removal of Display Cases and Memorabilia
In preparation for construction beginning in March, from January 6 through February 28, display cases and framed memorabilia are being removed from the facility to ensure the safe preservation of these items.
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Project Update presented to Bloomington City Council July 22, 2024.
A public open house was held Tuesday, July 23, 2024 to give the community an opportunity to learn more about the facility renovation and modernization project., including:
Concept design plans
Major components including arena floor, dasher boards and ice system
A presentation by JLG Architects (view it in the Media & Resources section)
September 17, 2024: BIG “Icebreaking” event held, including brief comments from City administrators, Council members, and the architect team. Renovation diagrams and plans were presented showing what’s to come.
November 2024: Design and Development phase scheduled for completion.
December 2, 2024: Project update and request for City Council approval.
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Schematic design is complete.
Project moved into design development phase May 22, 2024.
Dasher board and refrigeration equipment has been purchased.
Existing floors in all three rinks will be removed and reconstructed (see infographic below)
Rink 3 will shrink from Olympic (100’ x 200’) to NHL (85’ x 200’) size
January 2026: The BIG Modernization was recently recognized as one of Minnesota’s top construction projects, earning the 2025 MCA Choice Award from the Minnesota Construction Association. The award honors projects that demonstrate leadership, innovation, collaboration and craftsmanship and is selected by a panel of MCA members. Winners of the Choice Award represent some of the most complex and well-executed projects completed by member companies.
The BIG project was noted for its strong leadership, creative use of materials and seamless integration of modern construction techniques within a well-loved community facility. RJM Construction, the project’s construction manager, and JLG Architects were recognized alongside the City for their expertise and collaboration.
Accepting the award at the January 28 ceremony were Ann Kattreh and Deb Williams from the City of Bloomington, Sam Beedle, Sara Garcia, Jeff Mauder, Brian Recker and Dan Schulz from RJM Construction, and Mitch Borgen and Adam Barnett from JLG Architects.
Do you wonder what it takes to create and maintain a properly functioning ice rink? Hint: There’s a lot more to it than ice!
Diagram shows hockey player on ice sheet depicting layers of infrastructure top to bottom starting with one to one-and-a-half inches of ice, then five inches of reinforced concrete with cooling pipes, then vapor barrier, then three inches of foam insulation, and finally six inches of sand subfloor with warming pipes. Sand layer keeps the rink from forming a deep permafrost layer over time, which can cause problems with the integrity of the rink system.
New Rink 3 rendering
Main Concourse and Restrooms rendering
New Concessions Area rendering
New Ice Mechanical Room
New Ice Mechanical Room
Rink 3 tile removal
Main Concourse and Restrooms
New concessions area
April 15, 2025: Rink 3
April 15, 2025: Main Concourse -
April 22, 2025: New Concessions Area -
April 22, 2025: Prepping new Rink 3 high school locker rooms
April 22, 2025: New single-user restrooms main concourse
April 29, 2025: Roof replacement
April 29, 2025: Rink 2 upper mezzanine
April 29, 2025: Rink 2 upper mezzanine
April 29, 2025: Rink 1 lobby
May 6, 2025: Rink 2 Zamboni room footings
May 6, 2025: Walls for new Rink 3 HS locker rooms and bleachers
May 6, 2025: Rink 1 locker room walkway
May 6, 2025: Foam blocks to fill in Rink 1 bleachers
May 13, 2025: Rink 1 outer perimeter
May 13, 2025: Rink 1 upper mezzanine
May 13, 2025: Rink 2 Zamboni dump
May 13, 2025: Rink 3 press platform
May 20, 2025: Ice plant chiller
May 20, 2025: Rink 1 subfloor heating
May 20, 2025: Rink 2 perimeter pouring
May 20, 2025: Rink 3 HS locker rooms
May 20, 2025: Rink 3 perimeter and bleachers
May 27, 2025: Rink 1 Rebar and Piping Support
May 27, 2025: Rink 2 Drain Tile
May 27, 2025: Rink 2 Zamboni and Ice System Room
May 27, 2025: Rink 3 Bleacher Modification
May 27, 2025: Rink 3 Perimeter Framing
June 3, 2025: Pouring and finishing Rink 1 floor
June 3, 2025: Ice plant mechanicals
June 3, 2025: Concessions area lobby wall construction
June 3, 2025: Setting beams for seating on Rink 3
June 17, 2025: Rink 2 rebar and piping support installation. Up next, pouring the floor!
June 17, 2025: Rink 3 steel structure for upper concourse nearing completion. This will create a full continuous loop around the rink.
June 17, 2025: Ice systems room continues to take shape.
June 24, 2025: Rink 1 floor cleaned and covered in poly and plywood to allow remaining work to be done, including HVAC, electrical and painting.
June 24, 2025: Rink 2 floor pour!
June 24, 2025: Rink 3 metal support structure for full perimeter concourse nearing completion.
July 1, 2025: North parking lot work beginning.
July 1, 2025: Rink 2 floor curing.
July 1, 2025: Rink 3 taking shape!
July 8, 2025: Installation of metal paneling on the new building addition behind Rink 2.
July 8, 2025: Rink 3 north side bleacher seating.
July 8, 2025: Progress on the ice-making system.
July 8, 2025: Framing of new single-use restrooms and sink area.
July 15, 2025: New main office walls going up.
July 15, 2025: Rink 2 Zamboni room and ice systems room wall and door installation.
July 15, 2025: Roofing work has progressed to lower portions, including east and west sides of facility.
July 15, 2025: Exterior metal panels on ice systems and Rink 2 Zamboni rooms expansion nearing completion.
July 22, 2025: Rink 2 roof truss painting is beginning.
July 22, 2025: Sheetrock installation has begun in single-use restrooms.
July 22, 2025: Rink 3 (new high school rink) north side stadia seating nearing completion.
July 22, 2025: North parking lot work continues, including excavation for new stormwater retention tank.
July 29, 2025: Rink 1 and 2 viewing area windows installed.
July 29, 2025: Stadium seating risers are poured. All that remains is pouring the upper concourse.
July 29, 2025: Sheetrock installation continues in single use restrooms and sink area.
July 29, 2025: Installation of new electrical transformer.
August 5, 2025: Rink 3 upper concourse pour nearing completion. Last portion of steel structure is being installed to complete the loop.
August 5, 2025: Rink 3 upper concourse pour nearing completion. Last portion of steel structure is being installed to complete the loop.
August 5, 2025: Rink 1 and 2 glass installation and sheetrock finishing for lounge area overlooking both rinks.
August 5, 2025: Masonry in new high school locker rooms is complete (view of Jefferson boys locker room shower stalls).
August 12, 2025: Rink 3 lobby wall painting and drop ceiling installation.
August 12, 2025: North parking lot curb installation.
August 12, 2025: Single-use restroom wall and floor tile installation.
August 12, 2025: Rink 1 seating risers.
August 19, 2025: View down main concourse from new rink office towards Rink 3 lobby and new concessions.
August 19, 2025: Rink 3 insulation and vapor barrier installation prepping for new floor pour on August 26.
August 19, 2025: Rink 3 lobby light fixture installation.
August 19, 2025: Exterior metal panels now completely installed on the rear building addition.
August 26, 2025: Third and final floor (Rink 3) poured August 26!
August 26, 2025: Third and final floor (Rink 3) poured August 26!
August 26, 2025: Wall tile installation in single-use restrooms in Rink 3 lobby.
August 26, 2025: New lounge above Rinks 1 and 2 looks nearly complete with ceiling grid and light fixture installation taking place.
September 2, 2025: Final installation of Rink 3 lobby restroom wall and floor tile.
September 2, 2025: Removal of old exterior stucco.
September 2, 2025: Installation of new Rink 1 lobby windows.
September 2, 2025: Installation of new Rink 1 dasher boards!
The Facility
Bloomington Ice Garden (BIG) is a regionally and nationally significant skating facility that opened with one sheet of ice in 1970. A second rink was added in 1975, and a third in 1993.
Over the years, BIG has played host to skating luminaries including Olympic and World Champion figure skater Dorothy Hamill, NHL scoring king and hall of famer Wayne Gretzky, U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team.
Who does BIG Serve?
Each year, BIG rents over 10,000 hours of ice time and hosts dozens of events with skaters from Minnesota, other parts of the United States, and Canada.
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BIG is the home arena for Bloomington boys and girls high school hockey teams and Bloomington Jefferson Youth Hockey Association boys and girls programs.
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Bloomington Skate School offers year round lessons for skaters of all age, skill and experience levels.
BIG is also home to the Figure Skating Club of Bloomington, which practices and performs at the arena, including an annual all ages Ice Show in March.
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BIG offers Pro’s Ice, dedicated ice time geared towards the development and enhancement of skills by figure skaters working with coaches.
Developmental Ice is designed for working on individual hockey skills. This ice time is available to players of all ages, working with a coach, parent or on their own.
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With its dedicated weekly open skating schedule, unique open skating events, on- and off-ice space rental opportunities (including meetings, birthday parties, and special events), BIG offers a wide variety of options to skaters and non-skaters alike.
3600 West 98th Street | Bloomington, MN | 55431
Did You Know?
Up to 70% of summer ice rentals are from groups outside of Bloomington.
15% of players in the Youth Hockey Hub tournament come from outside the Twin Cities.
89% of teams in the Bloomington Amateur Hockey Association’s five annual tournaments come from outside of Bloomington.
More than 90% of OS Hockey’s 1,400 summer camp participants live outside of Bloomington.
25% of Skate School registrants live outside of Bloomington.
The Need
Bloomington Ice Garden (BIG) opened in 1970 with one sheet of ice. Today, BIG features three ice rinks and is one of the busiest ice-skating facilities in Minnesota, hosting more than 10,000 hours of ice time and 24 tournaments and events annually. Years of heavy use have taken a toll.
Refrigeration mechanicals are old, inefficient, expensive to maintain and repair, and use obsolete R-22 refrigerant, which can no longer be imported into the United States.
Aging equipment, high-demand and poor accessibility are just a few of the challenges facing BIG. Watch to hear more from BIG’s ice and facilities managers.
Roof needs replacement.
Outdated refrigeration systems.
ADA accessibility improvements needed.
Rink refrigeration systems use ozone-depleting R-22. refrigerant, which is no longer produced.
Did You Know?
In September 2020, a comprehensive building assessment, including architectural, mechanical, electrical and ice systems was conducted by Hammel, Green and Abrahamson Architects (HGA). The assessment included cost estimates and identified numerous functional and operational challenges to be addressed.
Critically important is replacement of the ice plant powered by ozone-depleting R-22 refrigerant. Equipment can be serviced with recovered, recycled or reclaimed refrigerant, but in 2019, the production and import of R-22 was banned. As it becomes more scarce, it will eventually become prohibitively expensive. The Rink 2 and 3 ice system also uses R-22 and has reached the end of its useful life.
The Plan
New amenities, upgraded facilities for hockey and skating enthusiasts
The City will invest $37.2 million to renovate Bloomington Ice Garden, which will allow Bloomington athletes and families to enjoy ice time closer to home, and help the facility host more events that draw visitors from across the region. The City received $2.2 million in state bonding money for predesign work.
New spaces will improve access for all, and redesign work will enhance guest experiences with new ticketing and concessions areas and other improvements.
Planned Improvements
Reconfigure Rink 3 from Olympic size to NHL standard size.
Indoor training area.
Ticketing, security, office, and concession improvements.
Major mechanical and roofing upgrades.
ADA accessibility improvements.
Renovated locker rooms and restrooms.
New high school locker rooms.
All items subject to change.
Timeline
December 2023 - Selection of JLG as Architect and Engineer via RFP
February 2024 - Selection of RJM Construction as Construction Manager via RFP
Q1 2024 - Initial bid package issued for refrigeration equipment
18-month lead time
Q3 2024 - Initial construction begins
Space created for new refrigeration equipment
Will not require closure or impact facility operation
Q1 2025 - Full facility closure to accommodate major construction.
Anticipated timing is mid-March through late fall
Q4 2025 - Reopening
all schedules subject to change
Predesign
Gather pre-existing information and data to begin the project
Identify opportunities and challenges
Define scope, program, begin budget and schedule discussions
Develop engagement strategies
Schematic Design (30% design)
Create concepts/vision
Incorporates engagement feedback, most flexible part of the design process
Basic ideas, form and function
Preliminary drawings, sketches or renderings may be created
Preliminary cost estimate
Confirm sustainability goals
Team
Staff Contact
Lenny Klevan Schmitz, Manager, Bloomington Ice Garden - forward@bloomingtonmn.gov
Architect/Engineer
Construction Manager
Planning and Design Phases
Design Development (60% - 90% design)
Refined with more detailed drawings and cost estimates
Incorporates feedback, refines and defines design
A vision takes shape into drawings
Product selection begins
Construction Documents
Design finalized
Complete set of construction drawings and specifications prepared
Construction
Bidding process, hire contractors
Construction schedule developed
Build per the design
Share status updates with community
The Cost & Funding
Bloomington Ice Garden will receive a wide range of infrastructure repairs, improved design, easier access for all residents, and a better user experience.
The total cost of the BIG Modernization Project is $37.2 million.
The half-percent sales tax passed by voters in November 2023 will be in effect on April 1, 2024 and will generate $35 million for the project
The State of Minnesota will contribute $2.2 million for pre-design work.
Spreading the cost among residents and nonresidents
In May 2023, Bloomington received legislative authorization to present voters with a referendum to fund the investments included in the Bloomington Forward plan via a half-percent local sales tax. Approved by Bloomington voters on November 7, 2023, an estimated 65% of the tax will be paid by nonresidents, according to research by the University of Minnesota. That means nonresidents will contribute an estimated $22.7 million toward the BIG Modernization Project.
How Does The Sales Tax Work?
The local half-percent sales tax will be applied the same way as the state sales tax. The tax amounts to a half-cent for every $1 spent. For example, a $10 purchase will cost an additional 5 cents.
The local sales tax has the same exemptions for purchases as the state sales tax. These include groceries, clothing, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, feminine hygiene products and baby products. Sales of motor vehicles and boats are also exempt. For more information, view this list of taxable items and this list of most nontaxable items from the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
Collections from the local sales tax will be used to make bond payments to finance the project for up to 20 years. The tax will expire when the bonds for the project are been paid off. This approach allows current residents to take advantage of the improvements while the bonds are being repaid.
Did You Know?
The average cost of the half-percent sales tax for Bloomington residents will be approximately $100 per household each year, or $8.33 per month.
For more information about the local option sales tax, visit blm.mn/sales-tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about Bloomington Ice Garden’s modernization project here!
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Bloomington Ice Garden (BIG) features three ice rinks and is one of the busiest ice-skating facilities in Minnesota, hosting more than 10,000 hours of ice time and 24 tournaments and events annually. But years of heavy use have taken a toll. Ice and refrigeration systems are outdated and need to be replaced. A wide range of critical infrastructure work is needed, including major roof repairs and transforming Rink 3 from Olympic to standard NHL size.
The City will renovate and upgrade BIG to ensure it continues to provide Bloomington skaters and families quality ice time closer to home, as well as support more events that draw visitors from across the region. New spaces will improve access for all residents, and redesign work will enhance guest experiences with new ticketing and concessions areas and other improvements.
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Historically, Bloomington Ice Garden (BIG) has not generated significant profits. In a good year, the Ice Garden covers its operating expenses but has never generated enough revenue to pay for major capital projects. Smaller improvements and replacements (e.g., new bleacher seating, replacement scoreboards, etc.) have been included in the annual Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and have been funded by the rink.
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This method has been tried unsuccessfully at ice arenas and is not recommended by leading ice arena engineers in the United States. The manufacturer of the Ice Garden’s compressors will not issue any kind of warranty for other refrigerants because the existing compressors were designed and built specifically for R22 refrigerant. The production and import of R22 is banned in the U.S. because of its harmful impact on air quality and is being phased out.
The City is seeking a reliable and sustainable long-term solution for a new refrigeration system at BIG. The ice plants for two of BIG’s rinks have significantly surpassed their life expectancies. Operating one centralized ice plant with modern compressors would be significantly more energy efficient and reduce operating costs.
Media & Resources
Learn more about Bloomington Forward.
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Big improvements for Bloomington Ice Garden
- KMSP, November 5, 2025Here are the renovations transforming Bloomington Ice Garden
- WCCO, November 3, 2025Bloomington Jefferson and Kennedy boys and girls hockey home rink gets $37M facelift - MN Star Tribune - November 3, 2025
Bloomington Ice Garden Open House - Sun Current, July 31, 2024
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YouTube Playlists
Publications
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Time-lapse of BIG’s metamorphosis.
Bloomington Today: The Buzz, September 18, 2024
BIG Modernization Project presentation by JLG's Mitch Borgen.
December 2, 2024 City Council project update presentation.
Contact Us
Do you have questions or comments? Email us at forward@bloomingtonmn.gov
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