Originally opened in 1970 as a single‑sheet rink, the Bloomington Ice Garden (BIG) has grown into one of Minnesota’s premier ice‑skating destinations. Over the decades, the facility expanded to three rinks and now supports more than 10,000 hours of annual ice time, hosting dozens of tournaments and welcoming athletes from across Minnesota, the United States, and Canada.

BIG’s history is equally impressive. The facility has hosted some of the sport’s biggest names, including Olympic and World Champion Dorothy Hamill, NHL Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice” Olympic team. Over the decades, the building expanded with additional rinks, upgraded training spaces, and enhanced amenities to meet the growing needs of skaters and spectators, and years of extensive use understandably took a toll on the facility.

To ensure BIG continues its legacy for the next generation, RJM partnered with the City of Bloomington on a transformative $37.2 million renovation. The modernization replaced the aging ice plant that relied on environmentally harmful R‑22 refrigerant and introduced a new roof, state-of-the-art mechanical systems, and fully updated rink floors. Olympic-sized Rink 3 was converted to NHL standards, an indoor training area was added, and locker rooms, restrooms, and ADA-accessible areas were refreshed and expanded.

Executing this renovation required strong leadership and an exceptionally collaborative team process. Under the guidance of RJM Superintendent Jeff Mauder, the project navigated several “undocumented” additions and a series of unforeseen existing conditions uncovered once walls and floors were opened. These challenges demanded rapid design adjustments, immediate pricing from trade partners, and a high level of trust among the owner, architects, and RJM to evaluate solutions quickly and cost‑effectively. The team also demonstrated resourceful problem‑solving when frost was discovered beneath Rink 2. With the primary testing agency unable to mobilize for several weeks, RJM swiftly secured an alternate partner capable of completing critical soil temperature testing within days, keeping the project on schedule.

Through carefully phased construction, RJM delivered a “2nd miracle on ice” for the city of Bloomington, all within a planned six-month shutdown, ensuring BIG remains a high‑performance, high‑impact community asset for years to come.