Potsdam has begun major renovations to Maxcy Hall Ice Arena, with the year-long, $8.7 million project forcing the men’s and women’s teams to play elsewhere for the upcoming 2012-13 season before the facility reopens in the fall of 2013.
The men will play their home games at Massena Arena in neighboring Massena, N.Y., while the women will move across town to Cheel Arena on Clarkson’s campus.
“We’re tremendously excited as we witness the beginning phase of our ice rink renovation project,” said Potsdam director of athletics Jim Zalacca in a statement. “This will certainly serve as a huge boost to our own men’s and women’s intercollegiate programs, but additionally, will mean extensive programming opportunities for our campus and extended Potsdam communities, certain to provide a full and enriching ice skating experience. When this state-of-the-art renovation is completed next fall, it will provide our countless number of Bears’ hockey supporters the opportunity to enjoy an exciting night of college hockey in a comfortable, fan-friendly atmosphere.”
Major alterations to the rink will include a new refrigeration system, ice surface, boards, glass, expanded team benches, climate-controlled seating and new bleachers in the balcony seating areas to expand the fan capacity to 1,124.
The Bears’ locker rooms will have a more modern look and coaches’ offices and a center ice player entrance will be added, as well as a locker room for referees and a larger press box.
