Transformation in the War Memorial Arena

During every September, the War Memorial Arena transforms itself into an ice rink.  It will take 10,000 gallons of water and about a week of work for a 7000 seat arena to get ready for the Syracuse Crunch’s new season.

Mark FitzGibbons, the War Memorial superintendent said, the process might look complicated but it’s actually a simple step-by-step process.

“When you get into the science of the project you know, it goes like clock work” and when you get into it, it will flow naturally, said FitzGibbons.

In order to make this project happen, the room and the slab temperature has to be lowered to 14 degrees, pump hot water through a wand over the slab and wait for the water to freeze.

FitzGibbons said one thing his workers like from the process are to paint the logos on the ice.

“I think the guys like it and the matter of fact we allow them to put their initials in some of the logos that they do,” makes the work more enjoyable, he said.

The installation requires hard work, but the workers always face it with enthusiasm.           

FitzGibbons said, “It’s always a fresh start…it’s always exciting.”