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HOUGHTON -- The only thing missing in the John MacInnes Ice Arena is ice, but that is on its way, as a $1.2 million rink renovation process kicks off.

Construction crews spent Tuesday cementing the new rink, preparing it for the ice installation, which is planned for the first week of August.

"I mean just having nice facilities is actually a key, and we always try to upgrade our facilities and keep them in nice shape and make upgrades to them so the students can enjoy utilizing the facilities," said Associate Athletic Director David Nordstrom.

The new rink isn't the first renovation either. In the past few years, the university replaced the arena seating, as well as put in sky box suites.

And for Scott MacInnis, whose father left behind a legacy of hockey, the renovations hit close to home.

"This facility was my dad's dream. I think he'd be very pleased with the condition of the rink and how it looks today. It's still a great atmosphere for hockey games, and it's a really beautiful facility for the community to have, so he'd be very proud," said Houghton City Manager Scott MacInnis.

The new renovations are more environmentally-friendly than the old rink, which was originally built in 1971.