The LaHaye Ice Center is a 4,000-seat ice arena located in Lynchburg, Virginia on the campus of Liberty University. The ice arena is also the home to the Liberty Flames men's and women's ice hockey teams that currently compete in the American Collegiate Hockey Association as independent teams in the ACHA Division I.[1] In addition to LU's varsity teams, the Liberty JV team, Virginia Military Institute, and Lynchburg College teams at the ACHA Division II level playing in the Blue Ridge Hockey Conference also use the arena.[2][3] And for LU's synchronized skating team.[4] The ice arena is also used for various recreational uses by students and local public for ice skating, figure skating, ice hockey, and broomball.[5]
 | |
| Location | Lynchburg, Virginia, United States |
|---|---|
| Owner | Liberty University |
| Capacity | 4,000 (hockey) |
| Surface | 200' x 85' (hockey) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 2005 |
| Opened | 2006 |
| Tenants | |
| Liberty Flames men's and women's hockey | |
The arena is named after Tim LaHaye, who gave $4.5 million to Liberty University to build a new student center and School of Prophecy, which opened in January 2002. He also serves as its president. LaHaye also provided the funds for the LaHaye Ice Center on the campus of Liberty University, which opened in January 2006.[6]
Facilities
editThe 89,000-square-foot (8,300 m2) ice arena includes an NHL regulation-sized ice sheet and has a seating capacity of 4,000 spectators, a media press box, a president's seating area, concession stand, pro shop with skate rental. The arena also houses offices for ice sports coaches and personnel and locker rooms.[1] The Ice Center received renovations in the summer of 2008 when a Chancellor’s suite and two business suites were installed on one side of the rink. Improvements were also made to the rink’s upper level/balcony, with a new conference room, space for LU’s hockey coaches, a players’ lounge and a meeting area for media. The renovations also included a locker room for public use and a permanent locker for the Liberty women’s hockey team.[1] The arena was completely renovated again in 2015, expanding capacity by more than 1,000 and adding to the building's concession offerings and locker room space. A new four-sided videoboard was also added in the renovation.[7]
The first goal scored in the LaHaye Ice Center was January 13, 2006 by Flames senior forward Scott LaPeer, giving Liberty a 1-0 lead over George Mason University in a game the Flames would win. That season, the Flames advanced to the ACHA National Championship game, eventually losing in overtime, 7-6, to Oakland University (Michigan).
References
edit- ^ a b c "Ice Center upgrades announced as LU men's hockey team gears up for season opener". Liberty University. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
- ^ "Virginia Military Institute - Ice Hockey". Vmi.edu. 2015-01-16. Retrieved 2015-04-16.
- ^ "Hornets welcomed to Division 3 Club Hockey". Lynchburg College. Archived from the original on June 7, 2010. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
- ^ "Liberty Journal | Articles | Liberty University". Liberty.edu. 2009-04-01. Archived from the original on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2015-04-16.
- ^ "Facilities". Liberty University. Archived from the original on August 18, 2009. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
- ^ "TIM LAHAYE MINISTRIES". Biographyministries.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2010. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
- ^ "Liberty University celebrates re-opening of Ice Center".