McHugh Construction and Hyder Construction have completed a $55.4 million renovation and expansion of Dobson Arena in Vail, Colorado, transforming the nearly 50-year-old facility into a modern sports and entertainment venue while preserving its distinctive alpine architecture.
Designed by Populous, the 56,000-square-foot arena is now 21,000 square feet larger than the original facility, which opened in 1979. Scheduled to reopen in November, the renovated venue can accommodate up to 3,500 attendees for hockey games, public skating, concerts, performances and community events.
The project involved extensive interior demolition and replacement of major building systems, including the ice plant, rink floor, HVAC, lighting, sound and network infrastructure. New amenities include a 360-degree upper concourse, expanded concessions and restrooms, eight locker rooms, dedicated referee facilities and improved accessibility.
A central challenge was preserving the arena’s signature exposed glulam timber beams and wooden ceiling while upgrading the structure to accommodate modern entertainment requirements. Construction crews incorporated more than 250 tons of steel and 20 tons of connection hardware to strengthen the existing framework and support concert rigging, advanced lighting and audiovisual equipment.
“Dobson Arena has long been an important gathering place for the Vail community, and we’re proud to help usher it into its next chapter,” says Kinjal Patel, President of McHugh Construction. “The renovation preserves the arena’s architectural character while introducing the infrastructure and amenities needed to support a broader range of events.”
Located more than 8,000 feet above sea level, the project required careful coordination of materials, equipment and a workforce that exceeded 120 people during peak construction. Among the more demanding installations was an 18-ton prefabricated ice-making machine positioned using a 150-ton crane.
Construction of the new rink floor required more than 13 miles of refrigeration tubing and a continuous, single-day concrete pour involving more than 30 trucks and approximately 300 cubic yards of concrete.
Completed on time and on budget following an 18-month construction schedule, the renovation also included new glass storefront systems, metal panel cladding, refreshed precast concrete elements and improvements to surrounding public spaces.
The facility’s rebranding from Dobson Ice Arena to Dobson Arena reflects its expanded role as a year-round destination for sports, entertainment and community gatherings.
