The Lakeshore Lions Club, a not-for-profit community organization, had an idea for the development of an arena on the site. In 2004, Giffels Corporation started working with the Lakeshore Lions Club to develop concept plans and construction cost estimates for the proposed arena, which was completed on September 4, 2009.

To optimize the energy efficiency of the building, we are utilizing reclaim energy from the central refrigeration plant wherever possible. This waste heat is used to heat the building via the various heat pumps throughout the building, The primary heat source for the heat pump loop is provided by the refrigeration plant waste heat. We are supplementing the heat pump loop with condensing type natural gas fired boilers when there is insufficient heat rejected by the plant.

For all the makeup air units we are maximizing heat recovery through the use of heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) to pre-condition the outside air and when additional heat is required we are also supplementing the pre-conditioned outside air with heat via the gas fired heating section in the HRV unit.

The three practice rinks are dehumidified via individual heat pump desiccants. No gas fired dehumidifiers are used on this project.  A post heat coil in the dehumidifier also obtains heat from the refrigeration plant to provide comfort heat to the spectators.

Water conservation is also included on this project.  The domestic hot water circuit will receive energy from the refrigerant plant desuperheater heat exchanger located in the Ice Plant Refrigeration Room. Supplemental heat will be provided with natural draft gas fired hot water heater when the ice plant is not operating.