The ice rink at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus will remain closed through March 2005 to facilitate a complete renovation of the refrigeration system. That announcement came today from UAA associate athletic director Dennis Stauffer.

Project costs are estimated between $400,000 and $600,000 and will include replacement of all piping as well as an upgrade of compressors and system redesign to a more efficient, indirect refrigeration system.

This will be the first upgrade to the ice rink since it opened in 1979.

"The new delivery system will make things much easier, and will be much more user-friendly and environmentally friendly," Stauffer said.

 The Seawolf hockey team will be making arrangements to practice elsewhere during the season.

"This obviously makes things tougher logistically," said Seawolf coach John Hill, "but we have a tough and determined group of players and coaches, and we will not let this affect our ability to compete."