Sep 29, 2024 | Mike McAvoy | 14 views
Bird Ice Arena Opening Delayed!
Due to ongoing maintenance issues related to the rink floor, Ohio University has delayed the opening of Bird Ice Arena. Click Read More for additional information related to how this impacts the AYHA (updated September 29, 2024).
WHAT WE KNOW
Bird Ice Arena has undergone numerous upgrades this summer, including a new chiller, insulation in the roof, and numerous cosmetic upgrades. However, the University chose not to replace the rink surface as part of the renovation work. In mid-September when the chiller system was turned on, a substantial loss of chiller fluid was observed. Subsequent investigations have identified and repaired leaks in the refrigerant piping that runs just under the floor surface, but the significant loss of chiller fluid continues. Ohio University is working to identify where the main leak(s) are, but there is no certainty how long the process of investigation and repair will take. University D1 and D2 home games have already been cancelled.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE AYHA
All practices and game slots for the week of September 30 through October 6 are cancelled for all age divisions. The AYHA Board of Directors has another meeting with the University this Tuesday, where we hope to get an update on the issues and a timeline for Bird's reopening. The Board will keep the Association members updated with information as we are updated by the University.
THE PLAN FOR 10U, 12U, 14U, and HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS
AYHA Rink Scheduler, Deborah McAvoy, has been working diligently to secure ice at other arenas for practices. While the Chiller rinks in Columbus have no open ice availability whatsoever, the Charleston Memorial Ice Arena and the newly opened Mastodon Rink in Newark (a studio rink larger than The Battery, but smaller than Bird) do have open ice available on weekends as early as October 5th. Deborah will be reaching out to team coaches to make a schedule in the coming week for use at either of these two rinks. We are also investigating the ability of providing dryland training and video analysis time at Ohio University during the week should the issues with Bird Ice Arena's floor become an extended problem.
THE PLAN FOR 8U
Due to the limited ice availability at other rinks as well as their travel distance from Athens, the AYHA Board of Directors has decided to delay the start of 8U practice until Bird Ice Arena reopens. However, once the arena does reopen, the Board will supplement the 8U team with additional ice time to compensate for whatever time is lost due to Bird being closed.
This article will continue to update as more information is provided by Ohio University.
Updated Sept 29, 2024.