About Facility
The Bentley University Ice Arena, located on the campus of Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, is a premier facility dedicated to supporting the university’s vibrant ice hockey programs. Opened in 2018, the arena serves as the home for the Bentley Falcons men’s ice hockey team, providing state-of-the-art amenities and a dynamic environment for athletes and fans alike.
With a seating capacity of approximately 2,207, the Bentley University Ice Arena offers an intimate yet lively atmosphere for spectators. The facility boasts advanced ice-making technology, modern locker rooms, and comprehensive training spaces, ensuring top-tier conditions for both practice and competition.
In addition to collegiate games, the Bentley University Ice Arena hosts youth hockey leagues, community skating sessions, and local tournaments, playing a crucial role in promoting ice sports within the Waltham community. The arena’s commitment to excellence and community engagement has quickly made it a beloved institution in the local sports landscape, reflecting Bentley University’s dedication to both athletic and community development.
“I CAN’T HEAR WHAT JEREMY SAYS BECAUSE I HAVE MY TWO STANLEY CUP RINGS PLUGGED IN MY EAR.”
Patrick Roy- 1996 Stanley Cup Playoff
Scope of Work
The Bentley University’s new 75,000 sq ft, 2200 seat home arena was an exciting project for the design team of B32 Engineering Group, Inc. to be part of. Right from the start the University and the design team were energized by the new facility’s potential, the focus on sustainability and LEED certification.
In the end it exceeded the sustainability motto of people, planet, profits. The School pushed the design team to find ways to reduce energy. For the design ice system, the challenge was even greater for B32 Engineering Group because the School was not comfortable operating a system with natural refrigerants like CO2 (newer to the ice rink industry) and ammonia (potentially more hazardous and requires additional training for staff) which tend to operate more efficiently than synthetic refrigerants. After evaluating many refrigerant and equipment options, a flooded R-507 based refrigeration system was selected. To improve the efficiency of the R-507 system, a flooded type heat exchanger system was incorporated in the design along with the use of industrial grade equipment.
An extensive heat recovery system was also included in the design to capture and reuse the waste heat generated from the refrigeration system rather than sending it to the atmosphere as wasted energy. The waste heat is used to heat domestic water, the snow melt pit and the subfloor heating system beneath the ice sheet. The arena prioritizes sustainability from its 1400 solar panels that generates half a megawatt of solar power down to the low-flow faucets and earned a LEED Platinum certification potentially the first LEED Platinum ice arena in the United States.
Ice System: Industrial Grade Ammonia
Rink Floor Piping: HDPE, fusion welded
Change Orders (Ice only): $0