Background 

Dobson Ice Arena is one of the largest multi-purpose ice facilities on Colorado's Western Slope. The Town of Vail owns the facility; it is operated by the Vail Recreation District under a long-term lease. The arena was originally built in 1979 and has had one addition and other remodels performed over the years. There has not been a major remodel completed of the entire arena.   

Improvements at Dobson have been identified as an important component of the town’s Civic Area Plan, which was adopted in 2019. In November 2022, the town issued a Request for Qualifications seeking an experienced team to complete the design and construction documents for a remodel project of the arena. A contract was awarded to Populous Design in February 2023. 

The town anticipates the remodel to be underway by the spring of 2024. The project is highly anticipated and resolves long standing issues of a facility which no longer is up to the standards expected for public facilities in Vail. The town is exploring options for maintaining the availability of ice off-site during the duration of the project. 

For more information, contact Town of Vail Public Works Director Greg Hall at ghall@vail.gov. 

Project Documents 

RFQ for Dobson Ice Arena Remodel Design and Construction Document Project – November 2022 

RFP for Dobson Ice Arena Land Surveying Services – April 2023 

Memo for Joint Meeting of Vail Recreation District and Vail Town Council – July 2023 

Presentation for Joint Meeting of Vail Town Council and Vail Recreation District – July 2023