By Adam Davidson, AIA, LEED AP | JLG Architects
Four years after its opening night in 2021, Ed Robson Arena at Colorado College (CC) is still every bit a game-changer, initially making history with the first on-campus games since the program’s founding in 1938. Shortly after, its historic homecoming made news again, with the Tigers landing in the top 20 college hockey teams in the nation (U.S. College Hockey), their first top ranking since 2012.
A Hat-Trick Homecoming
In the foothills of the Rockies, JLG Architects led the $52 million design, shooting for a hat trick that included bringing Colorado College hockey home, reinvigorating the program, and reconnecting the campus to the community of Colorado Springs. For some long-time season ticket holders and fans, the first game marked their first-ever visit to CC’s campus. Up until Ed Robson Arena’s opening, Tiger hockey was played seven miles from campus at Broadmoor World Arena.
Opening night reflected three years of dedication by Colorado College and JLG Architects, all kicked off JLG’s late founder, a fast flight to Colorado Springs, and an impromptu on-campus design charette.
After winning the project in a national design competition, JLG’s Sports Studio navigated the venue’s design, a pandemic, and the sudden loss of JLG’s founder, Lonnie Laffen. In the valued time Lonnie had with CC leaders, he made an enduring impression – a relationship later honored with his namesake on the Tigers’ recruiting lounge.
Forging ahead—with a team led by Ted Wright, AIA, LEED AP, Randy Lieberg, AIA, CIRM, and Adam Davidson, AIA, LEED AP — Lonnie’s love for the game lived on, unveiling a dynamic design that advocates for the game, student-athletes, and fan experience. The Arena also worked its magic to empower recruitment, providing a state-of-the-art, sustainable, and multi-purpose venue that serves the entire community and region.
“Going in, we knew this arena needed to be a homecoming for the program, a rebirth of CC hockey, a connector to the campus, and the start of a new legacy in support of Colorado College and the region beyond,” explained JLG Architects’ Adam Davidson, AIA, LEED AP. “We overcame a lot of challenges, including leading the project through two college presidents, two head coaches, and a pandemic.”
Inside Ed Robson Arena
Within 135,000 square feet, JLG’s Sports Studio created three distinct floor plates, including a main event level with entry lobby, major service, locker rooms, and training spaces. Above, an elevated main concourse and the primary public concourse offer a 360-degree circulation path that wraps around the seating bowl. Here, the seats cascade down from a circulation path to the ice rink below, giving fans uninterrupted views of the action on the ice.
The Arena’s top level is a private elevated club deck with a premium open concourse housing two open club lounges with individual club seating sections, two private suites, and a center ice media and production suite. JLG’s design concept focused on big-picture campus goals — creating an iconic campus event space and sports centerpiece the entire region can enjoy.
JLG’s team also leveraged the site’s views overlooking campus and Pikes Peak, capturing the connection to the outdoors. In the main seating bowl, fans can catch a glimpse of both through a ribbon of strategically placed windows, adding depth to the more intimate space.
Supporting Student-Athletes
Outside of the seating bowl and fan experience, the Arena has been perfectly tailored to support student-athletes, including a sports medicine suite and fully branded locker rooms with the Colorado College logo illuminating the core. Nearby, the player’s lounge is equipped with PlayStations, TVs, and a sound system adjacent to a 2,000-square-foot weight room. Training spaces offer hydrotherapy tubs and a private team video room with theater-style seating; a sanctuary for teams and coaches to engage in one-on-one work sessions.
Building Community Beyond Hockey
Beyond Tiger Hockey, Ed Robson Arena now hosts intramural and club hockey programs, figure skating, and community hockey leagues. The Arena also set aside space for student life activities, academics, and the community — offering public skating with skate rental, public lockers, secure storage, and event space. The Arena’s multi-purpose design easily transforms from 3,400 sport seats to 4,600 event seats, with center stage and concert configurations.
Leveraging its location on the southeast side of campus, JLG ensured CC had boundless opportunities for commercial use, providing a campus-inspired streetscape that can be closed to traffic on event nights – creating a pre-and post-game fan plaza. Along Tejon Street’s edge, buildings highlight a dedicated CC Tiger team store, a café, a campus bookstore, and arena ticket operations. The site also designates space for an art studio, a health center, a mail room, and a gathering spot for the students, athletes, and fans.
“JLG really delivered – we could feel their passion every step of the way,” said Lesley Irvine, Vice President & Director of Athletics at Colorado College. “We had a lot of complex issues to solve, but they made it simple and people-centric – it felt like working with a boutique architecture firm that could do really big things.”
Ed Robson Arena is unique in size and scope, easy to manage and maintain, and optimized for high-level athletic competition and regional events. The Arena is also an aspirational model of accessibility and green construction, utilizing sustainable building practices and materials that stand by the College’s commitment to reducing the campus’ environmental impact.
Changing the Game
Lesley Irvine, vice president and director of athletics at Colorado College, referred to the arena as a game-changer for the campus, as well as the economy of Colorado Springs.
“Seeing games at Ed Robson be the hot ticket in town has been exciting – a resurgence of the hockey program, our campus community, and our fan base,” Irvine said. “Our hockey program is such a visible part of the CC athletics program. It’s also brought our fans to campus for the first time, uniting us to our community and city.”
“It was important to get it right. The fan experience, as well as the team spaces, were critical – we spent a lot of time with CC trying different ideas and configurations until it surpassed “right.” The facility isn’t just a building, it’s a living, breathing, unsung member of the home team that must perform as well, or better than everyone else.” Randy Lieberg, AIA, Planner and Certified Ice Rink Manager – JLG Architects
