Alaska Arena Gets Upgrade

As part of a $7.4 million state grant, the 6,000-capacity Sullivan is to get a new ice-making plant, floor seats, dasher boards surrounding the rink, Plexiglass and paint, according to the Alaska Dispatch News.

A carbon dioxide system will replace the outdated Freon ice-making equipment that had corroded and compromised the rink’s ice-making ability.

All 6,000 seats in the venue will be replaced, according to the paper. All of the seats will have cup-holders, and many will be wider, reducing the seating capacity of the Sullivan somewhat.

Work on the arena’s interior is expected to be completed before hockey season begins in October, according to the paper.

“You won’t even recognize it when you come in,” SMG venue manager Joe Wooden told the paper.