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Minneapolis' Depot Ice Rink to close in March for renovation into event space

As a tribute to its nearly 20-year history, the rink will have expanded hours and offer free coffee and hot chocolate on weekdays before it closes on March 11.

February 2, 2017 at 3:07AM
The Depot ice rink was packed with skaters including Alice Reed 5, who was skating with her father Dana Reed Sunday January 05, 2014 in Minneapolis ,MN.
The Depot ice rink, shown packed with skaters in 2014, will close in March. (Dml - Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Depot Ice Rink in downtown Minneapolis will close at the end of the season as developers plan to convert the train shed that houses it into more event space.

Minneapolis-based CSM Corp. released more details Wednesday on a $7 million plan to renovate the former Milwaukee Road Depot on Washington Avenue.

The Environmental Protection Agency phased out the refrigerant used to keep the rink cold and CSM determined "a significant and cost-prohibitive upgrade of the cooling unit" would be needed to keep it operational.

As a tribute to its nearly 20-year history, the rink will have expanded hours and offer free coffee and hot chocolate on weekdays before it closes on March 11.

"The Renaissance Minneapolis event space has been a jewel of the community and we are excited to expand our downtown footprint," John Ferrier, CSM's lead architect, said in a statement. "CSM has worked extremely hard to create the right plan to revitalize this special place and continue our investment in the Minneapolis community."

The Depot will gain 24,000 square feet of space with the renovation. Currently, it has more than 66,000 square feet of event space at its complex, which includes the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel and a Residence Inn.

Last year, CSM added 110 hotel rooms to the complex by building a sixth floor and removing a water park in the hotel.

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The expansion will begin next year after the Super Bowl with the new space slated to open in the fall.

Nicole Norfleet • 612-673-4495

about the writer

about the writer

Nicole Norfleet

Retail Reporter

Nicole Norfleet covers the fast-paced retail scene including industry giants Target and Best Buy. She previously covered commercial real estate and professional services.

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