Last Hurrah for Woodbury’s Bielenberg Sports Center

Dave Black has been the ice arena and field house manager at the Bielenberg Sports Center since it was constructed “bolt by bolt, piece by piece” in 1995.

The dome has survived 90 mph winds, numerous snowstorms and age, Black said, “but it never has come down.”

Yet it will in April, as the city demolishes the dome to make way for a new $21.8 million field house. Before the bubble bursts, the Bielenberg Sports Center will host its last major event: the 2013 Woodbury Community Expo, set for April 6.

“Overall, it’s more excitement than nostalgia,” Black said of the coming end for the dome. “The price is going to be worth the prize.”

When it was first built, there were questions about whether Woodbury’s facility—and similar domes in the metro area—would be successful, Black said.

“But we had no idea how successful it was going to be,” he said.

Black said the sports center has been a valuable community asset, and he’s proud of how well it has functioned over the years.

Still, regarding the upcoming field house replacement, Black said: “It’s time.”

Construction is expected to begin the Monday after the Woodbury Community Expo, and the expanded facility is anticipated to open in the spring 2014.

Check out more coverage of the Bielenberg Sports Center expansion project.

The Woodbury Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual expo features hundreds of booths, along with exhibits, demonstrations, food and other attractions.

The expo is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6. It is free to attend.

Groups that sign up before Feb. 1 can take advantage of early-bird pricing, according to a release from the chamber.

For more information regarding exhibiting, attending or volunteering, contact Heidi Hickey at 651-578-0722 or memberservices@woodburychamber.org. Additional info can be found on the chamber’s website.

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