MEP Engineering Design for Western Michigan University

The renovation of Lawson included the addition of a new ice sheet and a 1,200 square foot mechanical room that would house the new ammonia-based ice plant equipment. PBA worked closely with B32 Engineering (formerly Stevens Engineering) a nationally recognized ice system designer for arenas, in order to successfully integrate the mechanical and electrical systems within the ice arena.

Lawson Ice Arena is located adjacent to the Western Michigan University natatorium. To efficiently accommodate the natatorium, the project included the connection of the ice arena’s waste heat from its new refrigeration system to a heat exchanger used to heat the pool. This significant feature enables the heat generated from making the ice to be redistributed throughout Lawson and the pool at Gabel Natatorium.

To properly accommodate the new ice plant, a new mechanical ventilation system was needed. During design, a CFD analysis was conducted to determine whether an air scrubber would be required in the event of an ammonia spill from the new plant. However, the system was found to be adequate without the need for a scrubber.
Several additional MEP components and reconfigurations were added to the arena in order to accommodate the new ice plant, including:

The addition of two 100-ton desiccant dehumidifiers located in a mechanical courtyard;
The elevation of an air-cooled condensing section on to grillage steel to allow the supply ductwork to exit the front of the unit;
Fully ducted return air from a large return air grille was added along the north wall of the arena and designed to maintain National Hockey League (NHL) space criteria;
The distribution of a looped fabric duct system for the supply air to the arena and a
New demineralizing system named Jet Ice was added for the Zamboni fill in order to provide quality water to the rink.

The project anticipates LEED certification.