December 14, 2015

Breslow Ice Hockey Center opens Dec. 15

Chris Margiotta, general manager, drives a Zamboni across the rink in the John Breslow Ice Hockey Center. The facility, which is the university's first indoor sheet of ice, opened Dec. 15, 2015.
Troy Fedderson | University Communications

Troy Fedderson | University Communications
Chris Margiotta, general manager, drives a Zamboni across the rink in UNL's new John Breslow Ice Hockey Center on Dec. 14. The facility, which is the university's first indoor sheet of ice, opens for use on Dec. 15.

A whole new level of cool has come to recreation facilities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

With a fresh sheet of ice adorned with the Nebraska Iron “N” and chilled to 23 degrees Fahrenheit, the $11 million John Breslow Ice Hockey Center — UNL’s first indoor rink — opened to the public Dec. 15. The 53,000-square-foot facility at 433 V St. offers a single, NHL-sized sheet of ice that will be open 50 weeks a year for sports clubs, intramural leagues and public recreation.

Rink Management Services, a national leader in ice rink operations, manages the facility, partnering with UNL’s Campus Recreation and Lincoln Parks and Recreation for programming. One of the first events at the facility is SkateFest, a free, open to the public training session that will be led by U.S. Figure Skating representatives on Dec. 19.

“The Breslow Ice Hockey Center is a gorgeous, modern facility that will offer ice access year round, from sports like hockey, broomball and curling to public skating and lessons,” said Louis Lombardo, a regional manager for Rink Management Services. “It is going to be a great addition to the city of Lincoln and the university.”

The facility is home to the UNL Hockey Club, which previously has played and practiced in Fremont. UNL’s curling and broomball clubs also have access to the facility, as do intramural leagues offered through Campus Recreation.

“Being able to finally play and practice in Lincoln is going to help us recruit players and fans,” said Nate Sandercock, president of UNL hockey. “We can’t wait to play our first game in a state-of-the-art facility that’s very red and made for the Huskers.

“That first game is going to be a lot of fun.”

The first Husker hockey game scheduled for the Breslow Ice Hockey Center is Jan. 22 against Iowa State University. For more information on the UNL hockey club, go to http://www.huskerhockey.com.

The rink is available for Lincoln-area sports teams to rent for practices and games. It also offers drop-in hockey games and skating lessons alongside regular public skating times.

“We are strong supporters of making ice available to the public, especially to kids interested in ice sports,” Lombardo said. “And, we make it a priority to offer public skate sessions at reasonable times during the day.”

Half of the operating hours on weekdays and weekends are reserved for community rentals. Public skating is available a minimum of 16 hours each month.

John Breslow, a former Nebraska state auditor and minority owner of the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes, provided a $7 million donation that launched the rink build. Additional funding was provided by the West Haymarket Joint Public Agency ($2 million), UNL ($1 million), donor support ($1 million) and the City of Lincoln ($200,000 and the land for the facility).

Along with the sheet of ice, the rink offers five public locker rooms, two locker rooms for college teams, three party rooms for rent, a conference room, warming room, concession stand, skate rental counter and skate sharpening services.

For more information on the John Breslow Ice Hockey Center, go to http://www.breslowhockeycenter.com.

Breslow Ice Hockey Center Sneak Peak
Dan Luedke of R&R Specialties paints the ice in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's new John Breslow Ice Hockey Center on Dec. 9. The 53,000-square-foot arena, which features an NHL-regulation sheet of ice, is scheduled to open to the public on Dec. 15. Funding for the center started with a $7 million donation from John Breslow, owner and chairman of Linweld.
Troy Fedderson | University Communications
Dan Luedke of R&R Specialties paints the ice in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's new John Breslow Ice Hockey Center on Dec. 9. The 53,000-square-foot arena, which features an NHL-regulation sheet of ice, is scheduled to open to the public on Dec. 15. Funding for the center started with a $7 million donation from John Breslow, owner and chairman of Linweld.
Panorama from center ice inside UNL's new John Breslow Ice Hockey Center.
Troy Fedderson | University Communication
Panorama from center ice inside UNL's new John Breslow Ice Hockey Center.
Glen Danischewski, vice president for Rink Management Services Corporation, talks about the electric Zamboni used on the ice in UNL's new John Breslow Ice Hockey Center. Rink Management Services was hired by UNL to manage the ice center.
Troy Fedderson | University Communications
Glen Danischewski, vice president for Rink Management Services Corporation, talks about the electric Zamboni used on the ice in UNL's new John Breslow Ice Hockey Center. Rink Management Services was hired by UNL to manage the ice center.
Mike Shore applies stain to wood on the warm viewing stand inside the John Breslow Ice Hockey Center.
Troy Fedderson | University Communications
Mike Shore applies stain to wood on the warm viewing stand inside the John Breslow Ice Hockey Center.
A monitor alongside the rink monitors air temperature and humidity inside UNL's John Breslow Ice Hockey Center. The facility features a system that balances temperature and humidity to improve the quality of the ice.
Troy Fedderson | University Communications
A monitor alongside the rink monitors air temperature and humidity inside UNL's John Breslow Ice Hockey Center. The facility features a system that balances temperature and humidity to improve the quality of the ice.