The concrete has been cut, the equipment has arrived
Published on September 16, 2005 under SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
The anticipation has been high in Central Florida for many months now. The Florida Seals changed their name, created a new logo, began to hire an office staff, found a head coach, agreed to terms with players, and found a place to play. Along the way only one thing was not real. There was no ice plant at the Silver Spurs Arena, until now.
The first step on making the Silver Spurs the home for professional ice hockey has finally begun. After a few delays for various reasons Cox Concrete was brought out to begin the first step in a month long process. On September 9th, 2005 the lines were drawn and the first cut was made at 10:17 am.
To the naked eye the work that has been done the first week does not look like much, but it is maybe the most important part of the process. The ice dam and drainage system are the keys for the full ice system to be installed and also taken out when different events take over the Silver Spurs Arena.
Even before the ice was cut, the freezer had been delivered to the west end of the Silver Spurs Arena. The Trane cooling system was put in place and is patiently waiting to be turned on to freeze the ice floor in the Florida Seals new home rink.
On September 13th, the rest of the equipment was delivered to the site and stored until its installation begins. The black piping that will keep the ice frozen looks like an oversized garden hose. The hoses will provide the needed freezing and insulation to allow Seals hockey and the Skating Academy to use the Silver Spurs Arena year round.
Finally on September 14th the initial jack hammering, digging, and sawing stopped. The support piping and molding began to be measured, cut, and fit in the two foot trench that was cut earlier. Eventually a steel plate will cover the trench and act as the draining area when the ice gets melted a few times each year.
To see the progress of the ice installation check out the http://www.floridaseals.com/photo_gallery2.asp. Pictures will be added on a regular basis until the project is complete.
With this step, reality has finally set in for many involved Seals Nation. It has been a long journey from Orlando to Kissimmee over the past 18 months. In just six weeks time blades of steel will be in the Silver Spurs Arena for Osceola County's first ever professional ice hockey game.
The Florida Seals will open up their home schedule versus their in-state rivals from North Florida, the Jacksonville Barracudas, October 29th. If hockey isn't enough there will be two headliners on Saturday Night. Mike Eruzione, 1980 USA Hockey Captain, will be on hand to sign autographs for the fans and talk about the Miracle on Ice team. For the kids, the Zooperstars will be performing during intermission and also be in the stands throughout the game. If that's not enough, the first 3,000 fans through the doors will get Seals magnet schedules and Cheerstix.
Prior to opening night fans can come out Saturday, September 24th to the Silver Spurs Arena for the Seals Open House Party. Beginning at 2pm fans can see the ice installation progress, meet Head Coach Tommy Stewart, Seals players, and much more.
Tickets for the Seals regular season home games can be purchased at the Silver Spurs Arena Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets can also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (407) 839-3900 or logging onto www.floridaseals.com.
Ticket prices for the 2005-06 regular season games at the Silver Spurs Arena are $25 (Glass), $18 (Sideline), $13 (Corners) and $10 (End Zone). Only a limited number of glass seats are available as there has been a high demand from season ticket holders for the premier seats.
SPHL Stories from September 16, 2005
- The concrete has been cut, the equipment has arrived - Florida Seals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
