New Notre Dame Hockey Rink - Progress Updates

Over the course of the past year we have followed the development of the new home to the Fighting Irish hockey program, the Compton Family Center.

Progress has certainly been made from the groundbreaking ceremony on September 11, 2010.

There is a live webcam available for those of you with nothing better to do. Below you will find a recent still image of the state of the construction from the outside as well as a couple inside pictures. We eagerly anticipate the completion of the project, which is expected for December 2011.

Notre Dame hockey has long since deserved a new place to call home. Next season that dream will finally become reality.

Outside View

Inside the Main Rink, Charles W. Left Smithy Jr. Arena

Future Site of Locker Rooms?

Construction To Begin On New Notre Dame Hockey Rink

The University of Notre Dame recently sent out a release with construction plans for the Charles W. "Lefty" Smith, Jr. Rink, Notre Dame's state-of-the-art hockey arena set for completion December 2011.

Click on the image above for a closer look as to where the building will be located. According to the University, the ice arena will be constructed in section 6H on the map, between Joyce Drive and Leahy Drive just north of Angela Blvd.

This coming Monday, March 15, will mark the first day of construction on the project. Over the span of the project new underground utilities infrastructure will also be added.

For a more detailed view of the affected construction areas and fencing confinements please refer to the official university release.

After a disappointing end to the 2009-2010 regular season the Fighting Irish icers will welcome the beginnings of their new home.

Embattled with injuries throughout the course of the year the Irish never managed to gel consistently. They were effectively on the NCAA "bubble" for most of the season but a string of late losses combined with an early exit from the CCHA tournament sealed their fate and absence from any further post season play.

Check back here frequently for progress updates on the construction project.

Renderings of the New Notre Dame Hockey Rink

Several months ago I posted a rendering of the future home for Notre Dame hockey, which is scheduled to debut in 2011/2012.

Groundbreaking for the Charles W. "Lefty" Smith Jr. Rink is set for spring 2010 with a rather swift expected turnaround time. Rumors have it that Irish head coach Jeff Jackson presented athletic director Jack Swarbrick and the Board of Trustees with an ultimatum to build the Irish icers a new home or find a new coach.

Such a request was not too surprising as the Irish have a rink no better suited for play than a small municipal venue. Until Jackson arrived there was not much excitement, or merit, to build a new home for the Irish.

Under Jackson's tutelage, however, the Irish program has soared to heights never before seen by the blue and gold including the University's first ever appearance in the National Championship game in the 2007/2008 season.

With a much needed facilities upgrade in the near future Jackson and the Irish faithful are hopeful that Notre Dame will create its own footprint in collegiate hockey in competition to Michigan, Michigan State, Boston College, Minnesota, and North Dakota among others.

What follows are additional renderings of the proposed 5,000 seat arena.