Mystique Community Ice Center, Dubuque Iowa

Mystique Community Ice Center,
Dubuque Iowa
• The following are pictures and notes by Tom Dickey from a
site visit on February 20, 2015.
• The Dubuque arena is similar in layout and construction
methods to the proposed Fishers arena. But, the budgets
are very different. The Dubuque arena was essentially a
community-funded endeavor and had a budget of $7M.
There is only one sheet of ice in Dubuque and there is no
attached field house. The Fishers project would have two
sheets of ice. The budget for the Fishers arena is three
times that of the Dubuque arena.
• Those on the tour: Barry Kiesel and Andy Gerdom, GK
Sports and Entertainment; Greg Larrison and Mike
Belmont; Larrison & Associates Architects; Tom Bailles,
Bailles & Associates, Arena FF&E consultant/provider
Roof deck in Fishers would be about 8’ higher. There would be two additional rows of
seating in Fishers. The rail and “bar ledge” go all the way around the arena. The standing
spots are “ticketable” for big events. During games, people are often out of their seats
standing at the rail talking.
To the left is the stair case from entry level. Straight ahead is office for USHL team.
Construction materials are basic (concrete block, steel, aluminum) and very durable and
easy to keep clean. Two walkers are walking around top of arena. There were about 15
walkers there at noon on a Friday.
Roof deck is about 8’ higher in Fishers. White ceiling and open beams give open feel.
Concourse would be about 8-10’ wider in Fishers. Seating is comfortable, hard plastic.
20” seats. Netting to the right in Fishers is on motorized system to raise up easily and be
stored during non-hockey events.
This would be south end in Fishers. Fieldhouse would be behind wall to the left. There
will be two hallway connections on each side of the concourse that connect to
concourse level of fieldhouse. Behind the boards (under the Kids Zone sign) is where
club seating would be in Fishers. For concerts, club seating converts to stage.
Seating is roomy. Arena feels intimate. Not a bad seat any where. Truss system allows
construction without any columns. Small room at top of seats to the right is press room.
Will not be there in Fishers. Would be on other side above suites. Concourse to the right
would be about 10’ wider, which is good because concessions are on that side.
ADA seating to the left. Concourse 10’ wider in Fishers. Press box straight ahead on left
will not be there in Fishers. Because roof deck is higher, press box can be stacked on top
of suites on other side.
Similar scoreboard in Fishers. Suites are in the background on concourse level.
Visitors bench is shown in center of pic. Suites across the way on other side.
Concessions would be basic arena fare (hot dogs, popcorn, candy, pretzels,
nachos, etc). There are no grills or fryers, so no hamburgers, fries, chicken
sandwiches, etc. Unlike this arena, though, Fishers will have restaurant with a
commercial kitchen, so that type of food can be sold in restaurant.
View of suites. Suites are basic. Fishers suites would be a little bigger and upgraded
finished somewhat. Suite access is off main concourse, so there is often mingling of
guests who have regular seats with friends in the suites. (i.e., there is no controlled
access to suites, like at Bankers Life or Lucas Oil)
View of Zamboni entrance and storage off to the left. To the right, this would be
like the north of the Fishers Arena. So where the yellow wall is would two-story
high glass looking down into the main entrance/atrium.
All four corners have separate VIP areas. The local people say during games, people
are just hanging out both inside and outside the VIP area talking and watching the
game. Straight ahead is an exterior wall. Again, the construction materials are basic.
The white wall panels are aluminum, but they look good and durable.
Open truss construction and white paint makes arena feel open. These lights are not
LED. Would be LED in Fishers.
Steel beams around exterior painted black. White Aluminum exterior wall panel.
Secondary stair case down to entry level is straight ahead. Pics show
Dubuque history. Also HVAC runs along ceiling for an industrial feel.
Each of the four corners of the arena has a mobile merchandising area. Vendor
carts (merchandise, beer, snacks) are in these areas during games. Because
nothing is permanent it allows the area to flex for the particular event. In Fishers,
the NW corner will be a restaurant.
Close up of open truss system.
Another view concessions side of arena. Press box would be gone in Fishers and
concourse wider. One of the VIP areas is in the foreground.
Another VIP area with Bud Light mobile vending carts in background. Flooring is
basic polished concrete.
One of the reasons this arena (and Fishers) is not as expensive as some we have
studied is the structure beneath the red seats. It is steel and aluminum, instead of
cast in place concrete structure. The biggest downside to this option is sound. With
this type of construction, the arena will never earn awards for a great place to listen
to an orchestra. This system is less than 40% the cost of cast in place.
Close up of HVAC and exterior wall system.
This is concourse behind suites. Walker ahead. Lots of USHL team memorabilia
here.
Graphics on steel beams are players from the USHL team that played in the NHL.
Another view of concourse behind the suites. This is not controlled access, so any
ticket holder could join friends in a suite. Concourse will be a little wider in Fishers.
Dubuque arena is pretty much only hockey. USHL and community ice. They have one
main special event each year… a brew fest.
View of suite. I believe each suite has ten tickets.
Another suite view.
Doors are suite entrances. Hall below Section 107 sign is entrance to regular seats.
View from suite toward what would be south end of arena in Fishers. South end
would be club seating for athletic events and would be where the stage is for
concerts. In the distance is the DB&T Club… a bar/restaurant where fans can eat
before and during game.
Zamboni in action.
Close up of aluminum base seat base construction.
Another pic of seats and aluminum seat base construction.
Inside a suite with arena architects, developer and consultant on all the FF&E in the
arena. Same design and construction team that did this arena are on the Fishers
arena. Fishers suites would be a little bigger and upgraded finishes.
Another view down the suites concourse. So, along the two long sides of the arena, are:
(1) the suites concourse and (2) the concessions and restroom concourse. Both are
seamlessly connected in one large oval, which is where the walkers in this arean walk (in
Fishers, walkers will mainly walk around concourse in field house which is much larger.)
View of standard aisle way from concourse down to arena floor.
View from concourse looking into offices of USHL team. Plan in Fishers is to have a
similar set up with USHL offices just off concourse.
Another view of USHL team offices.
View of steel and aluminum seating system from beneath. Locker rooms are ahead
off to the right.
Close up of seating base system.
Another view of seating system.
Players entrance to ice from locker room. Home bench to the left. Visitors bench to
the right. Notice the visitors bench does not have a door to the locker room, so if a
visiting team player gets hurt and needs to get to the locker room it is very
inconvenient, which I am told is a typical set up. Home cooking.
Visitors bench.
Lots of storage under the bleachers at ice level. Fishers will have 30,000+ sf of storage.
These are the insulation boards that go on top of the ice for non-ice events. It takes
about 3 hours for youth volunteers to put these on the ice at Dubuque. You can put
tables and chairs or basketball courts directly onto these.
Another pic of insulation boards that go on top of ice for non-ice events.
Zamboni entrance.
Zamboni backed into ice dump area. This arena has one Zamboni. Fishers will have
two.
Refrigeration equipment. Four different natural gas fired engines. This unit can
provide refrigeration to two sheets of ice.
In Fishers, this area is where there would be a platform that will double as the
floor for club seating for athletic events and then can be raised up to become the
stage for concerts.
Another view from what would be the club seating/stage area in Fishers.