About Facility
The Sacred Heart University Ice Rink Facility in Fairfield, Connecticut, is a cutting-edge venue that exemplifies the university’s commitment to athletic excellence and community engagement. As the home of the Sacred Heart Pioneers men’s and women’s ice hockey teams, this facility provides an unparalleled environment for both athletes and fans alike.
Featuring a meticulously maintained ice surface, the rink is designed to support high-performance training and competitive play. The facility includes advanced training and conditioning areas, modern locker rooms, and the latest sports technology to ensure that athletes have everything they need to excel. Additionally, the rink offers ample seating, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for spectators during games.
Beyond serving as the competitive stage for collegiate hockey, the Sacred Heart University Ice Rink Facility is a versatile venue that hosts a variety of community events, youth hockey programs, and public skating sessions. This inclusive approach not only fosters community connections but also promotes the sport of ice hockey across all ages and skill levels.
“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 Martire Family Arena is a new 3,600-seat ice hockey arena in Fairfield, Connecticut. Sacred Heart University decided to build its first on-campus facility for ice hockey and figure skating at their West Campus location. The school agreed to spend $70 million to build the Martire Family Arena. Frank and Marisa Martire donated $5 million for the arena and the project broke ground on March 15, 2021.
B32 Engineering Group provided the University with the specialized experience required to assist the University in determining the best refrigerant and overall technology to use for the new ice system at this first class new Division 1 college arena. Performance and sustainability were at the top of the list for the University. After presenting many different options to consider, the University selected an ammonia based refrigeration system. The walls of glass in this facility make it very unique and one of the finest in College Hockey. However, sunlight and glares of light on the ice sheet is not desired for many reasons. B32 worked closely with the design team to help assure the desire for natural light would not adversely affect the need for a high performing ice sheet and energy efficient refrigeration system.
In addition, selecting a highly efficient, natural refrigerant, an adiabatic condenser, which uses less water than a traditional condenser or cooling tower, was used to cool down the refrigerant in the system. This not only lowers the amount of water required to operate the system, but it also lowers the amount of chemicals needed to treat the water for this system. The refrigeration system was designed to capture and reuse waste heat to lessen the energy use of the system. The refrigeration system was also designed to readily serve a future second ice sheet.
B32 assisted in the construction administration activities to help assure the best performance and maximum efficiency of the system.