Glenview Ice Center Opens Amid Minor Project Delays, Coronavirus

GLENVIEW, IL — After 15 months, the Glenview Community Ice Center is now open to the public. A combination of the typical challenges a major construction project presents, along with the unique obstacles attributed to the coronavirus pandemic, slowed things down somewhat.

"Our team has worked incredibly hard to keep this project on time and on budget, and we are incredibly proud with the final result," Jena Johnson, director of brand strategies and community engagement, told Patch.

A month of free programs continues through Sunday at 1851 Landwehr Road. There are free public skates on Wednesday and Sunday. Residents can also try figure skating and ice hockey on Sunday.

"Our staff are so happy to be home. When you first walk into the building, you’ll see a large banner that reads, 'Welcome Home!,' with large red bows," Johnson said. "Kathy Brickman, our freestyle coordinator, often works the front desk and checks our skaters and players in. She always greets you with excitement and remembers your name. Coming to the ice center, you feel like a sense of community."

The project construction team experienced minor challenges due to COVID-19, according to Johnson, but were able to adjust the schedule of work to keep the project on time. The biggest challenge experienced was the delay of production or delivery of certain materials due to nationwide factory closures in April. The project team continued work on other parts of the project while waiting for delayed materials to be delivered. Delayed materials included:

• New and refurbished parts of the Rink B dasher boards
• Rubber flooring
• Fiber cement panels
• Team room benches
• Bleachers
• Telescoping stands
• Furniture

There were other notable changes to the project:

INTUMESCENT FIREPROOFING ENHANCEMENT

According to Johnson, the Glenview Park Board approved $554,212.23 in March 2019 for the installation of an enhanced fireproofing product that is more durable than the base product, requires less maintenance and has a higher aesthetic value for users and visitors to the Glenview Ice Center.

During the project’s Design Development Phase, the spray-on fire proofing was offered as a value engineering option, according to Johnson. At a February 2018 board meeting, it was decided that the construction documents would include the intumescent fire proofing as a bid alternate.

The Guaranteed Maximum Price for the ice center renovation project was set at the May 2019 Park Board meeting utilizing the base bid of spray-on fire proofing, according to Johnson. At that time, the project team worked with the lowest responsible bidder and established a guarantee that the bid alternate amount for intumescent fire proofing would be held through the end of the year. The decision was delayed to ensure that the renovation of the ice center would be within the budget amount.

The benefits of the intumescent fire proofing are both aesthetic and could impact operations, according to Johnson. Intumescent fire proofing aesthetically assimilates a painted surface and is more impact resistant than spray-on fire proofing. Operationally, the intumescent fire proofing won’t flake should it be struck by a hockey puck. With the spray on fire proofing, there is significant flaking when it is struck by a puck; this would result in a game delay for removal of the debris. With any larger building, the structure experiences movement in the roof structure, these minor deflection over time would result in additional flaking of the spray fire proofing, while the intumescent coating is more resistance to these structural fluctuations. The intumescent fire proofing also provides a much more appealing aesthetic for spectators.

ROOFING ENHANCEMENT

Also in October 2019, the park board approved $330,396 to enhance the overall value of the project with the installation of a Modified Bitumen roofing system, according to Johnson.

The change from a PVC roofing system to a Modified Bitumen System will provide a higher quality roofing system requiring less maintenance, a longer no dollar-limit warranty and a projected life span that is nearly twice as long as the originally planned PVC roofing system. In addition to the increased value and performance, the MBS system provides a better opportunity to be installed in extreme cold temperatures, (down to 0 degrees) which contributed significantly to meeting the planned construction schedule in winter 2019.

The former Ice Center had the original roof from 1974, which was a MBS roofing system. The roof held up with minor repairs and moderate maintenance, demonstrating the value and long-term cost savings this roof material offers

ENHANCED STORMWATER DETENTION

Another big accomplishment, according to Johnson, was the installation of the Storm Trap Detention System underneath the parking lot that is shared with the neighboring fire station. It is one of the largest storm traps our construction team has ever seen and was made possible thanks to a land swap agreement with the Vil­lage of Glenview. The partnership has resulted in costs savings for both government entities due to the sharing of storm water management at the site.

The Glenview Park District is enforcing a number of coronavirus safety guidelines at the Glenview Community Ice Center. A full list can be found here.

"As part of our Grand Reopening, we have goodie bags with winter hats, skate towels and other fun gifts featuring the new logo of the new facility," Johnson said. "Kathy is quick to chase you down and make sure you get a goodie bag with whichever hat you prefer — blue or gray. There is a sense of bustle and busy as kids make their way to the rinks or team rooms in their gear and skates."