Lobby/Parking Lot Renovation Overview
- A new vehicle turn-around making drop-off easy and efficient.
- Resurfaced parking lots with more lighting and pedestrian connections make the walk from the parking lots safe and easy.
Upon entry, visitors are immediately greeted by an open and welcoming reception desk.
- Raised ceilings brighten and open the lobby.
- Removal of the concession area.
- Updated restrooms including a gender-neutral restroom give a fresh and inclusive environment.
- All four hockey locker rooms are updated and include new restrooms and showers.
- Drainage improvements protect the infrastructure of the building from flooding.
- Enhanced entry landscaping.
- Funding for this project was provided in part by the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission.
Ice Rink Replacement Overview
At the August 10, 2022 Board Meeting, the Park District of Highland Park Board of Commissioners gave approval for an unexpected and necessary replacement of the Centennial Ice Arena rink floor.
During regular annual maintenance in June 2022, staff uncovered an unknown issue on the Centennial rink floor. The Park District acted swiftly to conduct an exhaustive investigation of the facility and ice flooring system with an engineering firm. The findings confirmed that the building is structurally sound. However, the rink floor had been compromised and requires complete replacement.
The rink floor emergency replacement project cost approximately $1.5M. The Park Board awarded the project to Ice Builders, Inc, headquartered in Liverpool, New York. Ice Builders has completed several successful ice-skating rink installations in the Chicago area, including the Glenview Ice Center and Skokie Skatium Ice Rink, and successfully completed a project for the Park District of Highland Park at Centennial in 2003. The Centennial rink project began in September 2022 and took approximately six months to complete.
Project Updates
STAY UP TO DATE ON THE Project Progress
September 19, 2023
Renovation Project
The vestibule glass has been installed and the remaining roof work completed. The project is now complete, just in time for the ceremonial ribbon cutting scheduled for September 20, 2023.
September 19, 2023
May 24, 2023
Renovation Project
The lobby is open and landscaping is nearly complete. There are a few remaining elements that need to be installed including the replacement of the temporary vestibule glass with the bird-safe glass. A ceremonial grand opening celebration is tentatively scheduled for September.
May 24, 2023
April 24, 2023
Renovation Project
Crews are wrapping up the renovation finishes including flooring, and the new vestibule has been installed. Crews are on-site starting to pave the main lot. Landscaping is on track to begin in May.
April 24, 2023
March 10, 2023
Renovation Project
Installation of finishes continues. The drywall is up, the walls are getting primed and painted, and the doors have been delivered.
March 10, 2023
February 17, 2023
Renovation Project
The rough-in stage of the project is wrapping up as the construction team shifts to putting up drywall and finishes. Crews are working on the tile in the reception area this week.
February 17, 2023
January 3, 2023
Renovation Project
The foundation for the new entry vestibule has been poured. Inside the building, crews continue to work on roughing in utilities in advance of the interior finishes.
January 3, 2023
December 19, 2022
Ice Rink Replacement Project
Concrete curing has been completed, and dasher boards are now being installed. Soon contractors and staff will begin testing the system in preparation for ice when the facility reopens in spring.
December 19, 2022
December 9, 2022
Renovation Project
The layout for the new facility is starting to take shape. Over the last few weeks, the most transformative updates have been the installation of the curbs for the new turnaround and the installation of the new masonry walls inside the building. By year-end, masonry walls will be complete, along with the installation of ductwork and utilities. Installation of drywall will begin towards the end of the month. Around the site, the new concrete walks are expected to be poured as well as the installation of the underground electrical lines for the exterior lighting and car charging stations.
December 9, 2022
November 18, 2022
Ice Rink Replacement Project
The concrete slab has been poured. The contractor will now conduct work on the mechanical system while the concrete cures.
November 18, 2022
November 10, 2022
Ice Rink Replacement Project
Construction of the rink floor is nearing completion. The cooling system has been installed and the concrete slab will be poured next week.
November 10, 2022
November 10, 2022
Renovation Project
Lots of exciting activity at Centennial Ice Arena. The underground drainage pipes, electrical, and plumbing were installed, and crews are now busy working on backfilling and site grading. This week foundation wall will be poured for the new vestibule, and the binder course for the north parking lot will be installed. Over the next few weeks, the existing curbs in the main lot will be removed and the new curbs will be framed for the lot and turnaround. Crews will be busy inside, installing the walls and door frames, and roughing in utilities.
November 10, 2022
October 20, 2022
Ice Rink Replacement Project
Installation of the under-floor drainage and pouring of concrete have been completed. Crews have begun installation of the warm floor system.
October 20, 2022
October 13, 2022
Renovation Project
Interior demolition is nearing completion, take a look at what Centennial Ice Arena looks like today!
This is a view looking towards the entrance and what used to be the reception desk.
In the coming weeks crews will begin working on the site drainage.
October 13, 2022
September 28, 2022
Ice Rink Replacement Project
Demolition of the rink floor and concrete trench have been completed. Installation of under-floor drainage will begin soon.
September 28, 2022
September 27, 2022
Renovation Project
Construction fence is up and crews are on site focusing on interior demolition.
Tree removals are likely to begin this week.
The pedestrian path north and west of the athletic fields closest to Centennial Ice Arena is closed.
September 27, 2022
September 6, 2022
Ice Rink Replacement Project
Crews began the demolition of the rink slab in preparation for the new ice floor replacement.
September 6, 2022
August 25, 2022
Renovation Project
The Park District Board of Commissioners approved the Centennial Ice Arena Renovation and Site Improvements project at the August 24th Park Board Meeting. Construction is expected to begin in the next month. We’ll post updates on both the Ice Rink Replacement and Renovation on this project page.
August 25, 2022
August 23, 2022
Ice Rink Replacement Project
Project Begins. Crews began removing glass, dasher boards and the ice mat in preparation for demolition of the rink floor.
August 23, 2022
August 10, 2022
Ice Rink Replacement Project
At their Board Meeting, the Park District of Highland Park Board of Commissioners gave approval for an unexpected and necessary replacement of the Centennial Ice Arena rink floor. The project begins immediately and will take approximately six months to complete.
August 10, 2022
August 10, 2022
Renovation Project
Bids were considered at the Park Board of Commissioner’s August 10th Finance Committee meeting to renovate the Centennial Ice Center lobby, multi-purpose room, locker rooms, office space, restrooms, and parking lot. The contract award for this renovation project is expected at the August Park Board meeting, and construction is anticipated to start in Sept.
August 10, 2022
June 10, 2022
Renovation Project
The Park District received three bids. Bids are currently under review.
June 10, 2022
May 1, 2022
Renovation Project
The project is out to bid. Bids are due Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 1pm.
May 1, 2022
February 15, 2022
Renovation Project
The Facility and Recreation Committee reviewed the plans on February 9, 2022. The project team is working on finalizing the plans to send the project out for bid this Spring.
February 15, 2022
