New look in New Hope

Updated: August 28, 2012 - 1:45 PM

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Aesthetic and functional improvements were made to the New Hope Ice Arena as part of a $4.4 million project. (MARLIN LEVISON/STARTRIBUNE(mlevison@startribune.com

Photo: Marlin Levison, Star Tribune

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The New Hope Ice Arena has gotten a makeover that largely wrapped up last week, and a celebration on Wednesday marked the arrival of a "New Ice Age" at the site on Louisiana Avenue N. The $4.4 million project includes a new, more energy-efficient refrigeration system that will serve both rinks; a new roof for the north ice sheet, and enhanced community and conference space.

The new, ammonia-based refrigeration system is projected to cut annual energy and operating costs by about $168,000, said Jerry Beck, the city's communications coordinator. It also helped secure a $3.5 million low-interest loan for the project.

The system is already being used for the north rink, and the south rink will be converted to it in the coming days. That rink will be closed for that process but is expected to be open again by the first week of September.