| Schwan Super Rink | |
|---|---|
| The Super Rink | |
| Location | National Sports Center Blaine, Minnesota |
| Opened | 1998 |
| Expanded | 2006 |
| Owner | National Sports Center |
| Operator | National Sports Center |
| Surface | Rinks #1–4: 200×98 ft Rinks #5–8: 200x85 ft |
| Architect | Rozeboom Miller Architects[1] |
| Capacity | 1,000 (hockey) |
| Tenants | |
| U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team Bethel University Irondale High School, Mounds View High School |
|
The Schwan Super Rink is a 300,000-square-foot (28,000 m2) ice rink facility that features eight sheets of ice and is the largest ice arena complex in the world.[2] It is located on the National Sports Center campus in Blaine, Minnesota, a northern suburb of Minneapolis – Saint Paul. The title sponsor of the Super Rink is the Schwan Food Company, a Minnesota corporation based in Marshall, Minnesota.
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The Super Rink was constructed in two stages with a total cost of $21 million, with funding of just $1 million from State of Minnesota grants. The remainder of the funding comes from the partner organizations. Revenue from ice rentals covers the annual construction bond obligation. The Super Rink was a combined project of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission (MASC),[3] The Herb Brooks Foundation,[4] National Sports Center, Bethel University, and eleven local hockey organizations, which are Arden Hills, Blaine, Centerville, Circle Pines, Forest Lake Coon Rapids, Centennial, Lino Lakes, Mounds View, New Brighton, and Shoreview. Ramsey CountyAnoka County also helped in funding. The Super Rink since its construction has not received any additional funding; it is completely self-sufficient through private ice rentals and in-house programs. The original facility opened in 1998 and included four Olympic-regulation-sized ice sheets (98 × 200 ft):
The Super Rink was expanded in 2006; the expansion included the Herb Brooks Training Center,a figure skating training room, concession area, 32 locker rooms and four NHL regulation-sized ice sheets (85 × 200 ft):[5]
The Herb Brooks Training Center (HBTC) is a state of the art hockey training center that was part of the Super Rink expansion that occurred in 2006. The HBTC was created to improve the game of hockey through proper player development via off-ice and on-ice skills training protocols. The facility has many off-ice hockey specific training stations, including a skating treadmill. The HBTC is run and operated by the Flexx Hockey Institute of Training (FHIT).[6] FHIT offers memberships to the HBTC and year-round training programs.
The Super Rink hosts a number of ice sport events year round, including: ice hockey, speed skating, figure skating, broomball, recreational ice skating, and off-ice training at the Herb Brooks Training Center.
The Super Rink is home to various youth, high school, and adult ice hockey teams and is also home to U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team,[7] Bethel University Royals men's and women's ice hockey teams competing at the NCAA Division III level in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).[8]
The Super Rink hosts a number of events throughout the year including:
In 2008, USA Hockey, the national governing body for hockey in the U.S., named the Schwan Super Rink as the home of the Women's National Team. The team trained in residence at the facility for two years leading up to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. That team was coached by Mark Johnson, who played on the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" gold medal team from the 1980 Lake Placid Oympics. The U.S. team won the silver medal in Vancouver, losing to archrival Canada 2-0 in the gold medal game. Since the Olympic Games, Team USA has returned to their training home at the Super Rink at least twice a year for training and team selection camps, with the most recent camp being held in August 2011.
The Super Rink offers many Ice Hockey programs. With a full experienced and professional staff they program and work year-round on leagues, tournaments and development programs. Offering programs for all levels and ages of hockey players, both male and female.[23]
The Super Rink is host for the Schwan Super Rink Skating School and the Northern Blades National Sports Center Figure Skating Club.[24] Figure skater's are able to utalize a 6,200-square-foot (580 m2) dance & fitness center, this dry land training facility was built during the expansion of the Schwan Super Rink in 2006.
The Hat Trick Café is located on the upper level of the Schwan Super Rink overlooking rinks 1-4, an ideal destination for guests to watch ice events in a comfortable 70 degree[25] atmosphere. The concession stand has an extensive menu, including everything from ice cream and candy to pizza and hamburgers. There is also a second concession stand, The Hat Trick Express serves rinks 5-8 located in the rink 5&6 lobby, providing a more basic menu. The Hat Trick Café also makes itself available to cater corporate events, skating parties, and birthdays.