A new floor for the RCC

So you think surfacing your driveway was hard work? Imagine smoothing out enough concrete to cover the floor of an ice arena.

Last Friday, it took 68 truckloads of concrete to make the new floor at Alexandria's Runestone Community Center.

The job took a total of four hours and 15 minutes and involved 17 workers from Gesser Concrete out of Minneapolis.

Because the new floor is seamless and no corrodible materials were used, it's expected to last 30 to 50 years, according to Vinnie Hennen, RCC manager.

The project cost $1.3 million.

Under the terms of the contract, the new floor must be completed by August 1.

The floor also comes with a new refrigeration system that may be expanded to handle a second ice rink if the city ever decides to pursue it.

Intern Reporter Kelsey Risbrudt contributed to this story.