Ice Arena Upgrades Nearing Completion
September 8, 2009 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders News Release
Cedar Rapids, Iowa- The Cedar Rapids Ice Arena has a multitude of changes in store for RoughRiders fans this season. From paint and graphics to lighting, sound and video screens, everything at The Stable is new and improved.
It was important to the Riders' new ownership group, Newco Riders LLC, that all updates and improvements were done by locally contracted companies. Cedar Rapids contractors involved in the construction include Acme Electric, Hawkeye Electric, Metro Studios, DPI Quality Custom Finishes, ImagineIT Graphix, Sound Concepts, and Best Buy.
The overall goal with the newly remodeled ice arena was to create the ultimate fan experience, and to really make the rink feel like the home of the RoughRiders. The large video screens and new plasmas outside of the suites are intended to create a "sports-bar" type atmosphere. Riders' President and CEO Jeff Jauch says "We've got quite a pre-game introduction show planned. Hopefully, it will get the crowd riled up and excited about the game."
Mark Debner of DPI Quality Custom Finishes recently finished painting The Stable's interior. Debner states, "After 250 gallons of black, green, and white paint, our portion of the 'Extreme Makeover' is complete. With all of the improvements that have been made, the fans are in for a real entertainment experience!"
Acme Electric was also involved with the renovations, providing the ice arena with a new energy efficient lighting system that utilizes high output fluorescent technology. This change was driven by the need for instant start lighting to enhance the new light show, and the need for increased light levels to compliment the simulcast TV coverage. Glen Henry of Acme Electric commented, "The new lighting system will cut the arena's existing kilo-watt hours by approximately 142,000kwh per year, and in turn will decrease their lighting energy cost by more than 50%, while providing better lighting on the hockey surface."
Al Schmidt of Metro Studios, who will supply the video equipment and production for the Riders' games, is confident that the improvements to The Stable will provide fans with a dynamic experience. He states, "The new environment that we are creating here is an intimate setting that is also very exciting and visually-enhanced. Fans are really going to have to come here and see it for themselves to get the full effect."
The RoughRiders first season in the newly renovated ice arena begins with the first ever Battle of Iowa, on September 19th and 20th. The RoughRiders will welcome their in-state United States Hockey League rivals from Waterloo, Des Moines and Sioux City to The Stable for the four-team tournament.
The battle for statewide supremacy will open with a match-up between the Des Moines Buccaneers and Sioux City Musketeers on Saturday, September 19 at 3:00PM, followed by the RoughRiders vs. The Waterloo Black Hawks at 7:00PM. The Riders will then clash with either Des Moines or Sioux City at 5:00PM on Sunday the 20th.
Tickets to the Battle of Iowa go on sale Tuesday, September 8th at the RoughRiders' ticket office (319-247-0340) and online at www.ridertownusa.com. Tickets cover admission to two games per day for just $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Battle of Iowa tickets are included in season ticket holders' packages.
United States Hockey League Stories from September 8, 2009
- Vote to Name the Phantoms' Mascot - Youngstown Phantoms
- Former Lancer Jed Ortmeyer Skating With Current Lancers - Omaha Lancers
- Ice Arena Upgrades Nearing Completion - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- Single Game Tickets Available September 17th - Waterloo Black Hawks
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