Kirkwood Adds $5M Ice Rink Work to Community Center Project

Date Posted: February 26, 2025

Posted In: News, Projects,

The City of Kirkwood last week approved a $5 million contract with Integrate Construction Partners for major renovations to the Kirkwood Community Center ice rink.

The ice rink seats 311 people and gets around 100,000 visitors in a year for public skating, hockey games, figure skating and other activities.

NAVIGATE Building Solutions is managing the preconstruction and construction phases of the project. The construction program involves replacing the existing refrigerant system with a more efficient ammonia-based system, along with architectural enhancements to improve functionality.

The project, $6.2 million in total when including design work, was added to an $11 million renovation community center improvement program expected to be complete in August.

Built in 1966 at 111 South Geyer Road, the original three-story community center included a 400-seat theater, gymnasium, meeting rooms, recreation offices, warming rooms, and a skating rink. The building was expanded in 1992 with a second gym and new offices but had not been renovated since then. Phase 1 renovations included a new roof, entryway, bathrooms, concessions, and elevator.

Replacing the cooling system requires a total renovation of the rink’s mechanical systems, including the five miles of cooling pipes beneath the skating surface. The city will also replace a large glass wall at the far end of the rink with a more energy efficient one.  The ice rink, previously outdoors, was last renovated when it was converted into an indoor facility in 1992. Its refrigeration system uses an outdated coolant, known as R-22, that federal regulators have ordered be phased out nationally.