MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Berry Events Center on NMUs campus is nearing the end of a $6.5 million renovation.
The arena, home to Northerns hockey and basketball programs has undergone an overhaul of its ice making system. 340 yards of concrete was poured Thursday, the concrete will now cure for the next 28 days.
The remodel also includes shortening the width of the ice surface from olympic sized at 100 feet to 94 feet. Which according to athletic director Rick Comley will help the hockey program with recruitment. NMU is one of only 2 schools in the CCHA to still have olympic sized ice.
NMU officials say the renovation is necessary.
“Our ice systems are out of date and one malfunction, we would have been in deep trouble, the technology has changed a lot and it is just something that had to happen,” said Derek Hall, NMU’s Chief Marketing Officer.
The school is planning to have ice in the berry on October first in time for hockey season.
