Case Study: Edina MN’s new outdoor hockey rink features Arbor Wood bench tops

In December 2014, a new $1.4 million hockey rink, dubbed ‘The Backyard,’ opened at Braemer Arena in Edina, Minn. The rink, which will help meet the demand for youth ice time, features an arched metal roof, heated players’ benches and an environmentally friendly ice-making system. It also includes a landscaped outdoor area featuring bench tops made of Arbor Wood Co Ash from Intectural.

This gathering space provides warm, elevated seating around a fire pit beside the new Braemar Field. It’s the perfect place for parents to cheer on their young hockey stars.

Sandra Rolph, landscape architect with the project’s architecture firm Cunningham Group, says the landscape is inspired by an outdoor hockey rink setting in the Northwoods – a frozen pond that is lined with Red-Twigged Dogwood and set amid the snowy hills of an Aspen-Pine forest.Rolph says Cunningham Group is always excited to try new, sustainable alternatives to traditional building materials. In this project, Arbor Wood was an alternative to imported tropical hardwoods.

“The overuse of tropical wood diminishes rainforest ecosystems and has a very high carbon footprint due to long-distance transportation to our local projects," says Rolph. "Furthermore, we are hoping that the long-term durability of Arbor Wood will reduce maintenance and chemical treatment of the decking – another environmental and economical benefit to our clients."We’re proud to have been part of this exciting project that highlights Arbor Wood – just one of the sustainable building materials we distribute.