Eight years after opening, a return visit to Bentley University's ice arena offers valuable insights into the design decisions that stand the test of time. 

When designing an ice arena, much of the focus is understandably on opening day: the quality of the ice, the excitement of competition, and the experience of athletes and spectators. But the true measure of success comes years later, when the building has weathered thousands of practices, games, events, and daily maintenance routines. 

ARC recently returned to Bentley University's ice arena, which opened in 2018 as the first stand-alone LEED Platinum ice arena in the United States, to meet with the team who operates and uses the building every day. Their feedback provided an opportunity to see how the original design decisions have performed, understand how needs have evolved, and identify lessons to carry forward into future projects. 

Investing in Durability 

One of the most satisfying observations from our return visit was how well the building has aged. Eight years after opening, the precast concrete exterior looks as good as it did on opening day and has required relatively little maintenance. Inside, durable epoxy resin flooring has held up exceptionally well under the demands of an active athletics facility. 

Even the spectator seating demonstrates the value of considering longevity during design. The mix of three seat colors continues to create an energetic atmosphere, while offering a practical maintenance advantage: individual seats can be replaced in any of the three colors without disrupting the overall appearance. 

Balancing First Cost and Long-Term Value 

Ice arenas are particularly demanding buildings, with complex refrigeration, dehumidification, and mechanical systems that must operate reliably under challenging conditions. 

At Bentley, the ice continues to receive high marks, and the facilities team expressed satisfaction with the performance of the ice plant and dehumidification systems. These are critical investments in the long-term success of the facility. 

Every project requires balancing initial construction costs with durability, operating efficiency, and future maintenance. The least expensive choice at the time of construction is not always the best value over the life of a building. Our role as designers is to help clients understand these tradeoffs, identify where additional investment will have the greatest impact, and make informed decisions that align with their budgets and long-term priorities. 

Just as important is recognizing opportunities to plan for future needs without making substantial investments upfront. For example, providing space and connections for temporary dehumidification equipment can make it considerably easier to maintain rink operations when permanent systems require service or replacement. These relatively modest provisions can provide valuable insurance against future disruption. 

Designing for Flexibility and Change 

While buildings should be designed to last, the programs they support inevitably evolve. 

At Bentley, the strength and conditioning room was sized within the project's original budget constraints. Its connection to daylight and exterior views helps create a more open and inviting environment despite its compact footprint. Looking ahead, a direct connection to the outdoors could provide additional opportunities for training and expand the functional reach of a relatively modest space. 

Other changes are less predictable. Coaches bring different training philosophies, equipment evolves, and operational practices change over time. Providing accessible infrastructure and the ability to relocate specialized equipment, such as glove dryers, can make it easier to accommodate these shifts without significant renovation. 

The arena's multipurpose room, known as the Cube, has also become an important part of team life, accommodating meetings, video review, meals, and special events. As the hockey program's desire to gather for team meals has grown, competing demands on this popular space have increased. 

The lesson is not that every possible future use must be accommodated from the outset. Rather, it is the importance of helping clients understand how different programming decisions may influence their options over time, and where relatively modest provisions could preserve future flexibility. 

Learning from Buildings in Use 

Returning to completed projects offers something that the design and construction process cannot: the perspective of years of real-world use. 

At Bentley, the quality of the ice, spectator experience, and durability of the building continue to validate important decisions made during design. At the same time, conversations with facilities staff, coaches, and arena operators have reinforced the value of considering maintenance access, operational simplicity, and future adaptability in even the smallest design details. 

For ARC, these conversations are an important extension of our design process. They allow us to test our assumptions, understand the long-term consequences of design decisions, and bring that knowledge to each new project. 

A successful ice arena must deliver an exceptional experience on opening day. A thoughtfully designed one continues to perform, adapt, and serve its community for decades to come.