View source for Peaks Ice Arena

{{Short description|Indoor ice hockey and figure skating arena in Provo, Utah, United States}}
{{Infobox venue
 | name                = Peaks Ice Arena
 | image               = Peaks Ice Arena (35720941122).jpg
 | caption             = Looking east at the Peaks Ice Arena, June 2017
 | location            = 100 North<br>Seven Peaks Boulevard<br>[[Provo, Utah]],<br>[[United States]]
 | coordinates         = {{coord|40|14|5|N|111|38|17|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
 | broke_ground        = September 17, 1997
 | built               = 1997–1998
 | opened              = {{Start date|1998|11|20}}
 | renovated           = 
 | expanded            = 
 | owner               = Provo City/Utah County Ice Sheet Authority<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/provo/title-to-ice-arena-transferred-to-ice-sheet-authority/article_bba4e08d-dbb3-513e-8629-ced3e96f5c67.html|title=Title to ice arena transferred to Ice Sheet Authority|last=Pugmire|first=Genelle|newspaper=[[Daily Herald (Utah)|Daily Herald]]|publisher=[[Ogden Newspapers]]|location=Provo, Utah|date=3 Nov 2012|access-date=3 Nov 2012}}</ref>
 | cost                = $12.4 million [[United States dollar|USD]]
 | architect           = Valentiner, Crane, Brunjes, Onyon (VCBO) Architecture
 | general_contractor  = Hogan and Associates
 | capacity            = 2,300
 | tenants             = BYU Men's Ice Hockey (1999–2022) <br>Peaks Youth Hockey Association (2000–present)<br>[[2002 Winter Olympics|XIX Olympic Winter Games]] (February 2002)
 | website             = {{URL|http://peaksarena.provo.org}}
}}

'''Peaks Ice Arena''' is an indoor [[ice hockey]] and [[figure skating]] arena in [[Provo, Utah]], located {{convert|43|mi|km}} south of [[Salt Lake City]]. Along with the [[Maverik Center]] (originally known as the E Center) in [[West Valley City, Utah|West Valley City]], it was built as an ice hockey and figure skating venue for the [[2002 Winter Olympics]], roles it is expected to reprise for the [[2034 Winter Olympics]]. It currently serves as the home of the Utah Valley University men’s ice hockey team, Peaks Youth Hockey Association, several high school teams, the Peaks Figure Skating Club, and a Learn-to-Skate USA program for beginning skaters of all ages.

==History==
Provo was chosen as the site for an Olympic venue because the leaders of [[Utah County, Utah|Utah County]] refused to support Utah's 1989 Olympic referendum unless they were promised at least one Olympic event would be held in the county. Originally county leaders wanted a speed skating oval built somewhere in Provo or on the campus of [[Utah Valley University]]; others suggested the game's Closing Ceremony could be held at [[Brigham Young University]]'s [[LaVell Edwards Stadium|football stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/52993/UTAH-COUNTY-WONT-BACK-GAMES-UNLESS-IT-CAN-HOST-AN-EVENT.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022021919/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/52993/UTAH-COUNTY-WONT-BACK-GAMES-UNLESS-IT-CAN-HOST-AN-EVENT.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2012|title=Utah County won't back games unless it can host and event|last=Morris|first=Michael|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|publisher=[[Deseret Digital Media]]|location=Salt Lake City|date=28 Jun 1989|access-date=7 Dec 2010}}</ref> After the 1989 Olympic referendum passed, and Salt Lake City lost its 1991 bid to host the [[1998 Winter Olympics]], the Utah Sports Authority and Provo City decided to wait until Salt Lake City bid again for the 2002 Winter Olympics before any venue planning would start.

After Salt Lake City won the 2002 Olympic bid in 1995, planning began again for what venue Utah County could host. It was decided that the city of Provo would host the venue, but that it would only be a practice ice sheet, mostly likely to be built in the planned [[Provo Towne Centre]] mall.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/423329/CITIES-GREET-THE-NEWS-WITH-JUBILATION-WARNING.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022021930/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/423329/CITIES-GREET-THE-NEWS-WITH-JUBILATION-WARNING.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2012|title=Cities greet the news with jubilation, warning|last1=Romboy|first1=Dennis|last2=Edwards|first2=Alan|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|publisher=[[Deseret Digital Media]]|location=Salt Lake City|date=17 Jun 1995|access-date=7 Dec 2010}}</ref> Eventually plans changed and a larger, yet still only a practice ice facility, was planned to be constructed near Provo's East Bay Golf Course. Utah County, Provo, and [[Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games of 2002|SLOC]] all okayed the plans and committed to building the $7.7 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|7.7|1996|r=2}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation-year|US}}) facility.<ref>{{cite news |title=Utah County to Receive Ice Sheet|author=<!--Staff article, no byline-->|newspaper=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]|location=Salt Lake City|page=D2|date=22 Mar 1996}}</ref> But in July 1996, before construction had started, the owners of Provo's Seven Peaks Waterpark approached the city and asked that the arena be built on the park's property, and Seven Peaks would pay for an additional ice sheet to be constructed in the same building.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/502324/PROVO-TASK-FORCE-AND-7-PEAKS-HAVE-OLYMPIC-DREAMS.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724092051/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/502324/PROVO-TASK-FORCE-AND-7-PEAKS-HAVE-OLYMPIC-DREAMS.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 24, 2012 |title=Provo Task Force and 7 Peaks have Olympic dreams|last=Rayburn|first=Jim|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|publisher=[[Deseret Digital Media]]|location=Salt Lake City|date=18 Jul 1996 |access-date=7 Dec 2010}}</ref> The plan was approved by county officials October 14, 1996, with Provo paying $2 million, Utah County $2 million, SLOC $3 million, and Seven Peaks donating land for the arena and parking spaces.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/519283/SEVEN-PEAKS-RESORT-SKATES-AWAY-WITH-7-MILLION-OLYMPIC-ICE-ARENA.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022022001/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/519283/SEVEN-PEAKS-RESORT-SKATES-AWAY-WITH-7-MILLION-OLYMPIC-ICE-ARENA.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2012|title=Seven Peaks Resort skates away with $7 million Olympic Ice Arena |last=Rayburn|first=Jim|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|publisher=[[Deseret Digital Media]]|location=Salt Lake City|date=15 Oct 1996|access-date=7 Dec 2010}}</ref> Valentiner, Crane, Brunjes, Onyon Architecture was chosen to design the arena.
[[File:Peaks Ice Arena (35890064815).jpg|thumb|left|The additional ice sheet at the Peaks Ice Arena, June 2017]]

On September 17, 1997 ground was broken for construction next to Seven Peaks Waterpark. It was to be {{convert|84000|sqft|m2|sigfig=2}} in size, with two ice sheets side by side. One ice sheet would have seating for about 2,000 spectators while the other would seat 300. By the time ground was broken the price had increased to $8.5 million, $1.5 million more than originally planned; the extra cost would be paid for by Seven Peaks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/583542/Big-stink-finally-leads-to-Provo-ice-rinks.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022022012/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/583542/Big-stink-finally-leads-to-Provo-ice-rinks.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2012|title='Big stink' finally leads to Provo ice rinks|last=Romboy|first=Dennis|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|publisher=[[Deseret Digital Media]]|location=Salt Lake City|date=17 Sep 1997|access-date=7 Dec 2010}}</ref>

Soon after construction had begun SLOC decided to host competitive hockey events in the new arena, versus the original plan to use the arena for practices, and using Utah Valley University's [[UCCU Center]] (then known as the McKay Events Center) for the competitions. SLOC would contribute $5.25 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|5.25|1997|r=3}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation-year|US}}) towards the project, the cost of which had just jumped to $10.75 million, with the addition of 12 locker rooms instead of four, extra seating, and other minor additions to the original plan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/591673/Expansion-of-Peaks-rinks-OKd-for-Games.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022022043/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/591673/Expansion-of-Peaks-rinks-OKd-for-Games.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2012|title=Expansion of Peaks rinks OK'd for Games|last=Romboy|first=Dennis|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|publisher=[[Deseret Digital Media]]|location=Salt Lake City|date=29 Oct 1997|access-date=7 Dec 2010}}</ref>

The arena opened November 20, 1998 in what was considered a "soft opening", and following the completion of minor work, the arena was supposed to have a grand opening in January or February 1999. But in December 1998 allegations of a scandal involving SLOC members, and members of the [[International Olympic Committee]] concerning the [[2002 Winter Olympic bid scandal|2002 Olympic bid]] surfaced, pushing back the grand opening.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/673860/Ice-Sheet-Authority-putting-grand-opening-plans-on-ice-Seven-Peaks-gala-postponed-due-to-SLOC.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022022055/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/673860/Ice-Sheet-Authority-putting-grand-opening-plans-on-ice-Seven-Peaks-gala-postponed-due-to-SLOC.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2012|title=Ice Sheet Authority putting grand opening plans on ice|last=Haddock|first=Sharon|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|publisher=[[Deseret Digital Media]]|location=Salt Lake City|date=12 Jan 1999|access-date=7 Dec 2010}}</ref> As a result, the grand opening celebration was held September 29, 1999, and the venue hosted its first event, a hockey game between the [[University of Minnesota Duluth]] Bulldogs and the [[University of Calgary]] Oval Extremes, two days later. The completed arena cost $12.4 million to build, included two ice sheets, had seating for over 2,000 spectators, and was {{convert|110000|sqft|m2|sigfig=2}} in size.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/720240/Arena-skates-toward-debut-Provo-facilitys-grand-opening-runs-through-weekend-BR.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729050358/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/720240/Arena-skates-toward-debut-Provo-facilitys-grand-opening-runs-through-weekend-BR.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 29, 2012|title=Arena skates toward debut Provo facility's grand opening runs through weekend|last=Curreri|first=Frank|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|publisher=[[Deseret Digital Media]]|location=Salt Lake City|date=29 Sep 1999  |access-date=7 Dec 2010}}</ref>

On November 20, 2008 Provo City took control of the arena from Seven Peaks owner Max Rabner, resolving a lawsuit that had been on going for years over the original construction and management agreements. The arena is now operated by the Parks and Recreation Department of Provo.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705264766/Provo-takes-helm-of-Peaks-Ice-Arena.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022000200/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705264766/Provo-takes-helm-of-Peaks-Ice-Arena.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2012|title=Provo takes helm of Peaks Ice Arena|last=Dana|first=Jens|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|publisher=[[Deseret Digital Media]]|location=Salt Lake City|date=21 Nov 1998|access-date=7 Dec 2010}}</ref>

==2002 Winter Olympics==
[[File:Olympic hockey game peaks arena.jpg|thumb|right|February 2002 Olympic ice hockey game between Austria and Latvia inside the arena]]
During the 2002 games both men's and women's [[Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics|ice hockey games]] and practices were held in the arena. Because of its original size over 6,000 temporary seats had to be installed to boost the ice center's capacity to 8,400, including press members. 93 percent of tickets were sold, for a total 131,067 of spectators witnessing events in the arena.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/2002/2002v1.pdf|title=Official Report of the XIX Olympic Winter Games|author=Salt Lake Organizing Committee|author-link=Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games of 2002|year=2002|isbn=0-9717961-0-6|page=91|access-date=7 Dec 2010}}</ref>

==The arena today==
The arena is home to the Peaks Figure Skating Club.  The arena formerly served as home ice for the Provo Predators of the [[United States Premier Hockey League]] (who relocated to Wyoming in 2024 in lieu of the arrival of [[Utah Hockey Club]]), and is the current home ice for the [[American Collegiate Hockey Association|ACHA]] collegiate hockey team of [[Utah Valley University]], and high school teams including Timpanogos, Utah County Independent, Lehi, Payson, Spanish Fork and Springville, as well as the Peaks Youth Hockey Association. The arena is open to the public for ice skating, skating lessons, and can even be used for indoor soccer games.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Peaks Ice Arena}}
* {{official|http://peaksarena.provo.org}}
* [http://www.byuhockey.org/ Brigham Young University Hockey]

{{2002 Winter Olympic venues}}
{{Olympic venues in ice hockey}}
{{Provo, Utah}}

[[Category:Venues of the 2002 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic ice hockey venues]]
[[Category:Ice hockey venues in Utah]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Utah County, Utah]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1998]]
[[Category:Brigham Young University]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Provo, Utah]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in Utah]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Provo, Utah]]