The Koeppel Community Center is an indoor ice hockey arena on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. It is home to the Trinity Bantams men's and women's ice hockey programs and has seating for 3,400 spectators.
Koeppel Community Sports Center | |
 | |
| Location | 175 New Britain Ave. Hartford, Connecticut, 06114 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°44′38″N 72°41′16″W / 41.7439648°N 72.687887°W |
| Owner | Trinity College |
| Operator | Trinity College |
| Capacity | Ice Hockey: 3,400 |
| Field size | 200 x 90 ft. |
| Surface | Ice |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | November 6, 2005 |
| Opened | November 17, 2006[1] |
| Construction cost | $15.5 million |
| Tenants | |
| Trinity Bantams (men's and women's ice hockey) (2006–present) | |
History edit
In 1998, the Connecticut Bonding Commission approved $2 million to fund the building of a new ice rink in downtown Hartford.[2] While the funding was a necessary first step, the final cost of the rink would far exceed the sum from the state. Six years later, a group of several entities, including Trinity College held fundraising drives to raise the additional money required.[3] a little over 15 months later, the ground breaking ceremony was held on a plot of land just across the street from Trinity's main campus. A year later, the doors opened for the Koeppel Community Sports Center.
Up to that time, Trinity's ice hockey teams had to use other local rinks and had most recently been hosted at the Oxford Rink in West Hartford. Initially, the venue had seating for 1,200 with an additional 300 bleacher seats available.[4] Shortly after opening, however, the arena was criticized by some as not living up to its name and failing to serve the local community as a whole.[5] Within two years, Trinity purchased a removable floor that can be placed over the rink and allow the building to be used for multiple other pursuits. Additionally, seating arrangements were expanded to hold up to 3,400 spectators.[6]
The rink is dedicated in honor of Albert C. Williams '64.
References edit
- ^ "Koeppel Community Sports Center". Trinity College. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "STATE APPROVES FUNDS FOR TRINITY RINK". Hartford Courant. October 7, 1998. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ "Ice Skating on Broad Street". Hartford Courant. June 4, 2004. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "Hockey Teams to Skate on New Ice". Trinity Tripod. November 7, 2006. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "Community Concerns Expressed at Trin Sports Center Dedication". Trinity Tripod. February 13, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "Koeppel Community Sports Center". Hartford Courant. Retrieved March 6, 2024.