Palmer Ice Arena solidifies its place

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

PALMER -- With the pouring of roughly 300 yards of concrete Monday, the Palmer Ice Arena is literally solidifying its place in a former hayfield across the street from Palmer Junior Middle School.

Thirty-three construction workers poured a massive slab and smoothed out the rough spots with tools and shovels. Underneath the wet concrete, a newly installed refrigeration unit sat idle.

In the coming months that unit will see plenty of use as it freezes smooth layers of ice for the arena's upcoming opening day. As the concrete cures over the next month, crews will continue to construct the interior.

"We're looking good for the January 3 opening day," said Chris VanBuskirk, general contractor for the project.

The Palmer Ice Arena was originally set to open Oct. 15, but the date had to be pushed back due to a worldwide steel shortage.

The 40,000-square-foot facility will be home to the Palmer High School hockey team and will also serve many other recreational users.

"It's going to create a center where people can go and interact with one another," City Council Member Brad Hanson said. "There's going to be people coming from all over to play here."

Hanson has long supported the project and sees it as both a community improvement for locals and a tourist attraction.

"I hate to say it, but it's going to bring in tourism as well," he said.

Once the Palmer Ice Arena opens, locals will have the option of skating or taking in an event at one of three Valley ice rinks, including the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena in the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex and the long-standing Brett Memorial Ice Arena.

The final project will cost about $3.2 million and includes conference rooms, classrooms, five locker rooms and seating for 500 people.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.