Renovated Birmingham Ice Arena to reopen

By Lisa Brody

After a major renovation, the Birmingham Ice Arena will host a special ribbon cutting celebration on Sunday, March 20, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., followed by figure skating and hockey demonstrations, open skating, tours and refreshments.

The ice arena, located at 2300 E. Lincoln Road in Birmingham, is reopening after a $5.1 million project approval in January 2021 to upgrade and improve the 50-year old facility. The project – which included relocating the arena’s main rink, replacing the facility’s refrigeration system, expanding locker rooms and other improvements – was part of an $11.25 million parks and recreation bond approved by voters in November 2020.

Planned improvements included replacing the existing in-floor cooling pipes; sub-soil heating systems; ice plant equipment; dehumidification systems; relocating the main ice arena; providing a female locker facility; enlarging the existing main ice arena locker rooms and providing a team locker room; replacing lighting with LED; and a new studio rink observation/meeting room.

Also new at the Birmingham Ice Sports Arena, the community may now stream hockey games and other arena activities on a computer, tablet or mobile device using LiveBarn. The subscription-based service is currently in use at over 1,000 ice arenas nationwide. Subscribers receive viewing access to all LiveBarn arenas, and the ability to download games for review/archive and share highlights via email or social media.

“We are excited to welcome the community and unveil the wonderful improvements made possible by the parks and recreation bond,” said Lauren Wood, director of public services. “Attendees will have an opportunity to tour the facility, learn about ice skating opportunities, visit our new party room and enjoy refreshments.”

Each year the Ice Sports Arena welcomes approximately 6,500 visitors for sporting events, ice skating classes and other recreational activities. The variety of users include figure skating clubs, hockey associations, residents, schools and the joint hockey teams from Groves and Seaholm high schools.