Vail to get its first look at $52 million plan to revamp Dobson Ice Arena

Since 1979, the Dobson Ice Arena has served the Vail community not only as an ice arena but also as a gathering and events space. However, aside from an addition and a few small remodels, it has remained largely unchanged. And in order to survive another 50 or so years, it is in need of serious renovation.

n February, the town of Vail selected Populous Design to take a look at the aging facility and provide options for upgrading and bringing it up to code. On Tuesday, July 18, at its regular meeting, the Vail Town Council and the Vail Recreation District will see the result of this planning phase: a $52 million conceptual design that addresses many of the facility’s current challenges.

Town Council will be asked to evaluate the recommended project, which “is more about program and elements versus design details of how everything fits together,” according to a memo in the meeting packet.

The current arena is facing a number of issues. In the initial design phase, the contractor was asked to address the lack of accessibility throughout; inadequate locker room space (which has resulted in diversity and equity issues); mechanical, electrical and ice systems that are at or near the end of their useful lives; a failing roof; dated spectator amenities; inadequate egress; and an insufficient number of bathroom toilet fixtures according to code.