HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (July 28, 2026) – The Von Braun Center is nearing completion of an historic project to replace the original ice floor system at Propst Arena, with the installation of over eleven miles of new refrigeration piping now underway.
The project represents the first comprehensive replacement of the arena’s ice floor system since the facility opened in March 1975. Construction is on schedule and is expected to be completed by October 1, 2026, ahead of the start of the 2026-27 Huntsville Havoc hockey season.
The $3.299 million project, approved by the Huntsville City Council and contracted to Modern Mechanical, began June 1 with the delivery and installation of a new ice plant skid. Since then, crews have removed approximately 580 tons of concrete and steel from the arena floor, exposing the original refrigeration piping installed during construction of the Von Braun Civic Center in the early 1970s.
With the removal and preparation phases complete, crews are now installing over six miles of new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) refrigeration piping beneath the arena floor. The new piping will replace the original 1-inch Schedule 80 piping embedded in the six-inch concrete slab and will be thermally welded to create a modernized refrigeration distribution system.
The system will circulate approximately 2,000 gallons of glycol solution, cooled by an ammonia refrigeration plant, to maintain concrete temperatures between 17 and 19 degrees Fahrenheit and keep the ice surface at approximately 24 degrees.
The project also includes upgraded insulation beneath the arena floor and the installation of new floor anchor systems to provide greater flexibility when converting the arena between hockey, ice shows, concerts, family entertainment productions, and other sporting events.
“This project represents a major investment in the future of Propst Arena and the Von Braun Center,” said Steve Maples, Chief Executive Officer of the Von Braun Center. “For more than 50 years, this ice floor system has reliably served generations of guests, athletes, performers, and event organizers. From UAH and professional hockey games and community skating programs to touring ice productions and special events, the arena has created countless memories on this floor. Replacing it now ensures we can continue providing exceptional experiences while improving efficiency, reliability, and flexibility for decades to come.”
For more than five decades, the original ice floor system supported community skating programs, touring ice productions, professional hockey, and countless special events, making it one of the oldest continuously operating original arena ice floor systems in the United States.
The project is particularly important for the Huntsville Havoc, the Von Braun Center’s resident Southern Professional Hockey League team. For more than 20 years, the Havoc have called Propst Arena home and consistently rank among the league’s attendance leaders, routinely setting league records for fan support.
“The Huntsville Havoc have been proud to call Propst Arena home for more than 22 years, and this investment demonstrates the Von Braun Center’s continued commitment to providing a first-class experience for our players, fans, sponsors, and community,” said Keith Jeffries, owner of the Huntsville Havoc. “The VBC and the City of Huntsville have been tremendous partners to our organization, and their commitment to maintaining and improving this facility has played a major role in the success of our team. Every visitor from outside our area that we host is amazed that this arena is more than 50 years old, and all the credit goes to city leadership, and VBC board and staff. Huntsville has built one of the most passionate fan bases in professional hockey, and investments like this help ensure our fans continue to enjoy a premier experience every time they walk through the doors of Propst Arena. This project isn’t just an investment in infrastructure – it’s an investment in the future of hockey in Huntsville.”
The VBC also used the planned arena closure to complete a major upgrade to the arena’s rigging fall protection system. The $732,000 project, completed by Dunlap Construction Inc. on June 10, 2026, upgraded the arena’s fall protection life safety systems with permanent horizontal lifelines designed to protect riggers, maintenance staff, and technicians working in high-elevation areas, including catwalks and roof trusses.
The systems allow workers to safely tie off and move continuously through elevated work areas without repeatedly disconnecting and re-anchoring.
“Taking advantage of the arena’s scheduled closure allowed us to complete multiple major projects at the same time, minimizing future disruptions to our event schedule while making important investments in the facility,” said Maples. “The ice floor replacement and rigging fall protection improvements are different types of projects, but both are critical to the long-term operation, safety, and success of Propst Arena.”
The ice floor replacement continues the Von Braun Center’s long-term commitment to reinvesting in its facilities and enhancing the guest experience. Recent arena improvements have included the installation of new LED video scoreboards, upgraded audio systems, advanced color-changing LED arena lighting, and programmable exterior architectural lighting.
The ice floor replacement is on schedule for completion by October 1, 2026, ahead of the start of the Huntsville Havoc’s 2026-27 season.
The project is being managed by Modern Mechanical as general contractor. Major project partners include Lee Company (mechanical systems), Stewart Electrical, Wright Construction, Quality Concrete Cutting, Longarc Steel, and Hernandez Demolition.
###
About the Von Braun Center
Since 1975, the Von Braun Center has been a place where people gather to share experiences. As a multi-purpose facility located in downtown Huntsville, Alabama, the VBC offers a variety of venues for cultural, educational, entertainment, sporting, and social events. Venue spaces include Propst Arena, Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Playhouse, Mars Music Hall, South Hall, East Hall, and Saturn Ballroom.
With more than 170,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, the VBC accommodates events of all types and sizes. The VBC is also home to Rhythm on Monroe, an on-site restaurant and rooftop bar offering a unique dining experience in the heart of downtown.
