Waltham, MA Bentley University opened the doors to a new multipurpose arena that will host the university’s NCAA Division 1 hockey team and prominent university events such as career fairs, high-profile speakers, alumni events and concerts. The 76,000 s/f arena is located on Bentley’s lower campus and can accommodate 2,000 for hockey games and up to 3,400 people for larger-scale events.

The building includes locker rooms and areas for hockey equipment, weight training and sports medicine as well as a glass-walled function room providing a modern space for additional community and campus events.

The building uses the latest in “green” technology, and as a result, anticipated utility costs will be 50% less than other ice arenas of its size. Standout sustainability features include: 

• 1,400 rooftop solar panels that generate 40% of the buildings electricity needs

• Innovative technology that captures heat generated from creating the rink’s ice to heat water throughout the building

• Water-saving bathroom fixtures

• An outdoor plaza with permeable pavers that reduce storm water runoff.

The Wayne J. Griffin Electric team, managed by senior project manager Wayne Pease and foreman Dennis Dye, was responsible for providing lighting and power with the facility, in addition to wiring systems for fire alarm, generator, heat trace and seismic. The Griffin telecommunications team was tasked with setting up systems for structured cable, CATV, CCTV and access control, plus wired the scoreboard/video system. Keith Sanborn, telecommunications division manager, and Kevin Mason, telecommunications foreman, were responsible for Griffin’s on-site telecom team.

CSL Consulting was the owner’s project manager while Suffolk Construction Co., Inc. served as the project’s general contractor. Architectural Resources Cambridge served as the architect, and Rist-Frost-Shumway Engineering, P.C. as the electrical engineer.