Barre Arena Reopens With New Ice After Volunteer Repair

The BOR Arena in Barre is open for public skating and organized games following the installation of a new sheet of ice. This development reverses a previous city announcement that the facility would remain closed for the season due to a broken ice rink. The Vermont Flames youth hockey team was the first group to take to the resurfaced ice on Monday.

The arena originally faced a full-season closure after the city identified issues with the aging pipe system used to freeze the rink. City officials noted that the infrastructure has required numerous temporary fixes over the past several decades. The decision to close the facility came late in the planning period for local sports teams.

Corey Gillander, a coach for the Vermont Flames, learned of the closure just before a scheduled game. Gillander, who grew up in Barre and played at the BOR, initially considered rescheduling the match. He stated that the facility is a major part of the lives of the young athletes he coaches. The team would have needed to find an alternative venue or delay the season.

A group of local volunteers intervened to address the mechanical failure. They donated approximately $50,000 in labor and resources to repair the broken system. The volunteers worked to restore the freezing capability so that the rink could host scheduled activities. Gillander credited these individuals with making the Monday game possible.

Braxton Orr, a freshman on the Vermont Flames, said he is grateful for the volunteer effort. He described the smooth quality of the new ice as an improvement for play. Players reported that the surface feels significantly better for skating than previous conditions. Orr noted that it is a positive development for all the children who use the arena.

City officials stated that the recent repairs are a temporary solution. They cannot guarantee that the pipe system will hold for the entire season. The long-term solution requires a full replacement of the freezing system. The city said it is planning for that permanent fix but the current repairs serve as a necessary interim measure.

After the Vermont Flames completed their game, the Barre Figure Skating Club will return to its home rink. The club had been displaced during the closure period. The arena remains open to the public as of Monday evening, with the fresh ice supporting continued use.