I thought this might interest everyone.

--- Patrick Miller <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> To: "Hockey" <[log in to unmask]>
> From: "Patrick Miller"
> <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 14:27:40 -0600
> Reply-to: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [siouxhockey] My Tour of the New Engelstad
> Arena
>
> Dear List Members,
>
>   On Wednesday, I had the privilege of touring the
> new
> Ralph Engelstad Arena as a member of UND's marketing
> committee.   The tour was simply amazing.  I didn't
> take
> notes, so what I'm relating here is strictly from
> memory.  My apologies if I get any of it wrong.
>
>   The first big thrill was standing in Ralph
> Engelstad's
> private suite.  Okay, so the walls are about the
> only
> thing in it, but at least I can say I was there. :-)
>
>   Our tour guide told us that Engelstad personally
> visited 35 of the newest hockey arenas around the
> country
> and asked people what they would do differently if
> they
> could start over again.  All that advice is
> reflected in
> the design of UND's new arena.
>
>   While I was in the construction manager's trailer
> waiting for the rest of our group to arrive, I
> looked at
> the plans hanging on the wall. In the center was the
> plan
> for the main arena, which hadn't changed, but around
> the
> edges, you could see where new areas had been added
> and
> other areas had been revised.
>
>   The olympic-sized practice rink and an indoor
> loading
> and unloading area appeared to be late add-ons. The
> main
> entrance to the arena also looks as if it was either
> enlarged or redesigned.  It's no wonder that the
> cost has
> gone from $50 million up to $85 million.
>
>   The tour guide said that Engelstad approves every
> change made to the plans, which means that they fax
> him
> 20-30 times a day.  She also said that before any
> money
> is spent, they have to get at least three bids to
> make
> sure they're getting a good deal.  He doesn't waste
> a
> dime.
>
>  Now for the big news.  We were told that the
> Minnesota
> Wild has signed a 5-year contract to play pre-season
> games at the new arena.  I would love to be able to
> see
> an NHL game in Grand Forks, even if it is just a
> pre-
> season game.
>
>   There are so many things that dazzled me about the
> new
> arena that if I can remember half of them, I'll be
> doing
> well.
>
>   The new arena contains 48 suites that sell for
> $25,000
> each.  All of them have been sold!  Our tour guide
> said
> that they wish they would have put more suites into
> the
> arena because people are still asking to buy them.
>
>   Each suite contains two rows of seats.  One row is
> outside the suite and directly behind the crowd.
> The
> other row is inside the suite, which allows you to
> close
> a sliding glass door to screen out the noise of the
> game.
> If you're into crowd participation, you can sit in
> the
> outside seats. There's a restaurant in the arena and
> all
> suites will be able to place orders to it. Each
> suite
> also has its own bathroom and a bar.
>
>   Speaking of bars, the public lounge area at one
> end of
> the arena will have the largest free-standing bar in
> North Dakota.  There will be another lounge at the
> other end of the arena strictly for members of UND's
> Fighting Sioux Club.  Nobody will be allowed to
> drink in
> the main arena.  Also, the areas serving booze will
> be
> separated from the other concessions.
>
>   The weight room is huge.  Rather than treadmills,
> they
> will have exercise machines that simulate the
> skating
> motion.  There are also rehab facilities and
> equipment
> that will allow an injured player to get everything
> he
> needs without having to leave the building.
>
>   We were shown the extra-large hot tub, which
> hasn't
> been installed yet.  They had to get it in the
> building
> before it was completed because it wouldn't have fit
> through any of the doors.  The damn thing is almost
> as
> big as my living room!  Our guide said that the
> entire
> team could fit in the hot tub at the same time.  Why
> they
> would want to is a question that wasn't answered.
> :-)
>
>   There is also a hot and cold tub to help heal
> injuries.  It includes a video camera that allows
> trainers to observe how injuries are responding
> underwater.  Our guide wasn't sure why this was
> important, but apparently it is.  We were also told
> that a women's locker room is being included.
>
>   The olympic ice sheet will be made available for
> local
> teams to use and practice on.  It can be divided
> into
> three separate pee-wee and bantam-size rinks.  The
> locker
> rooms are being designed so that during tournaments,
> each
> participating team will have its own space for the
> entire event.
>
>   Another nice feature will be TV screens in the
> concession areas, lounges and -- get this --
> bathrooms.
> Almost anywhere you go in the building, you can keep
> track of what's going on in the game.
>
>   The main entrance to the arena will be very
> impressive.  It has a massive domed skylight over
> it.
> Besides the ticket office, there will be a pro shop
> to
> buy hockey equipment and Sioux sportswear.  Also in
> this
> area will be the UND Hockey Hall of Fame containing
> a display of UND's greatest players and videos of
> great
> moments in Sioux hockey history.  Dean Blais will
> have an
> office on the second level with windows overlooking
> the
> main entrance.
>
>   Running completely around the inside the main
> arena
> will be a digital display banner that will be used
> for
> advertising and to get the crowd fired up.  This is
> a
> feature found in many new NHL arenas.  There will be
> a
> huge scoreboard hanging in the center of the arena
> with
> four monster TV screens.
>
>   There will be a section for about 2,000 students
> and it
> is right next to the ice.  Engelstad felt it was
> important to keep the old arena's atmosphere by
> having
> the students involved in the games.
>
>   Although the main focus of arena events will be
> hockey
> and other ice-related activities, it will also have
> a concert stage and can be converted to play
> basketball. Our guide told us
> that the management of the Engelstad
> Arena would work with the management of the Alerus
> Center
> to coordinate events for both facilities to avoid
> competing against each other.
>
>   That's all I can remember for now, but I think
> it's
> enough to give you an idea of what the new Engelstad
> Arena will be like.  I can hardly wait!
>
>                --Pat
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> ---------------------~-~>
> eGroups is now Yahoo! Groups
> Click here for more details
>
http://click.egroups.com/1/11231/1/_/2907/_/982269008/
>
---------------------------------------------------------------------_->
>
>
>


=====
Matt Sullivan
Group Insurance Specialist
The Sullivan Agency, LTD.
www.sullivanagency.com

University of Minnesota Duluth, 1998
BU-LL-DO-G-S  GOOOOO Bulldogs!!!!

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35
a year!  http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/