Bloomington Ice Gardens Renovation
Project Overview
Finnish Painting was proud to be part of a 126,000 sq ft, $37.2 million full facility remodel at Bloomington Ice Gardens. This historic arena (originally built in 1970, expanded in 1975 and 1993, and famously home to the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” USA Men’s Hockey Team) required a complete transformation within a tight timeline.
Because the facility needed to minimize downtime while the ice was removed, all trades were under significant schedule pressure to complete work quickly without sacrificing quality.
Scope of Work
Our team was responsible for surface preparation, repairs, and coating application across multiple rink areas and facility spaces. This included:
- Surface prep and coating in all three rink areas
- Identification and correction of substrate issues
- Priming and application of high-performance coatings
- Use of rust-inhibiting systems where required
- Coordination with other trades to maintain project flow
Each phase required precision, efficiency, and adaptability due to the scale of the project and overlapping construction schedules.
Challenges
With three rinks built decades apart (1970, 1975, and 1993), each area presented unique and unforeseen conditions.
One major challenge occurred in Rink 1, where failing paint and bubbling coatings were discovered at heights not visible from the ground. This required:
- Additional access planning and safety measures
- Full removal of compromised coatings
- Application of a rust-inhibiting primer system to ensure long-term durability
Issues like this significantly increased the scope of work, but the project timeline remained unchanged.
Our team had to continuously adapt, problem-solve in real time, and maintain productivity despite these unexpected setbacks.
Results
Despite added challenges and an aggressive timeline, Finnish Painting successfully:
- Completed all required work ahead of schedule
- Delivered a clean, durable, and professional finish across all areas
- Maintained strong coordination with other trades throughout the project
The result is a refreshed, high-performance facility ready to serve the community for years to come.
This project highlights our ability to handle large-scale commercial work, navigate unexpected conditions, and deliver results without compromising on timeline or quality.
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