The state Board of Regents dropped the puck for Ames’ new ice arena last week by approving preliminary architectural designs for the building.

The existing ice arena, located just south of Towers Residence Association, originally was built as a practice facility in the 1970s. “It is old and dilapidated,” said Matt Craft, president of the Government of the Student Body. “It really needs replacing.”

The existing facility is no longer able to keep up with its increased use, said Al Murdoch, head coach of the men’s hockey team.

“All the programs are experiencing tremendous growth,” he said. “It is used by hockey, figure skating and intramural teams. A new facility is badly needed by all Ames users.”

The popularity of ice-based intramurals has increased the general use of the ice arena. “Intramurals are big,” Murdoch said. “Over 450 people play broomball alone.”

The excessive use has been a catalyst for the deterioration of the aging building.

“The existing facility has been a failure,” said Warren Madden, vice president of Business and Finance. “We have had to cancel a number of events because the equipment doesn’t function.”

Plans for the new ice arena have been in progress for about two years, Craft said. Student fees will generate $1.7 million, a figure matched by the city of Ames, and the ISU Foundation will contribute the additional $300,000, he added.

If the plans are approved by the city of Ames this week, bids for the project will be accepted from architecture companies.

“We hope to start construction when the weather gets nice enough in the spring,” Craft said. “Hopefully, it will open in October or November of 2000.”

The new facility will be “a much nicer, cleaner environment,” Craft said. “There will be four locker rooms: one each for the men’s and women’s hockey team, one for visiting teams and one for the Ames hockey teams.”

The new arena, Madden said, will have a better ice surface and updated seats.

The arena will house roughly the same number of seats, which disappointed some.

“I wish there was more seating,” Murdoch said. “There is no question it would increase attendance for our games.”

Craft acknowledged that some students were upset about the seating capacity.

“Some people want to see expansion of seating, but we had to pick and choose what we wanted,” he said. “We don’t have enough money to do everything.”

The new arena will be constructed next to the existing facility, although the question concerning the fate of the original building remains unanswered.

“It is up in the air,” Craft said. “Some people want the old arena to stay open, but the maintenance of two arenas would cost a lot.”

Other alternatives, such as demolishing the original building or clearing it for storage, are being considered. “There is a major need for open storage on the campus,” Craft said.

Murdoch said the hockey teams should be able to use the facility by December 2000, about halfway through the season.