---
title: "VIDEO: The Pond on Madison, Mankato's Unique Hockey & Entertainment Venue"
description: Widseth's architects and engineers were involved from the beginning and helped reshape the old big box structure into The Pond on Madison.
image: https://blog.widseth.com/hubfs/The%20Pond%20on%20Madison%20-%20Mankato%2c%20MN.jpg
---

<https://www.facebook.com/Widsethdesign/> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/widseth-smith-nolting> <https://twitter.com/WIDSETHdesign> <https://www.instagram.com/widsethdesign> <https://www.youtube.com/user/widsethsmithnolting>

- [Locations](https://widseth.com/contact-us/#locations)
- [Careers](https://widseth.com/about-us/careers/)
- [Employee Login](https://widseth.com/employees/)
- [Bid Documents](https://qap.questcdn.com/qap/projects/prj_browse/ipp_browse_grid.html?projType=&group=12108&provider=12108)

[![widseth](https://blog.widseth.com/hubfs/logoS.png)](https://widseth.com/)

- [Services](https://widseth.com/services/)
- [Markets](https://widseth.com/markets/)
- [News](https://blog.widseth.com/)
- [About](https://widseth.com/about-us/)
- [Contact Us](https://widseth.com/contact-us/)

Primary Menu

- [Services](https://widseth.com/services/)
- [Markets](https://widseth.com/markets/)
- [News](https://blog.widseth.com/)
- [About](https://widseth.com/about-us/)
- [Contact Us](https://widseth.com/contact-us/)

# VIDEO: The Pond on Madison, Mankato's Unique Hockey & Entertainment Venue

By Widseth February 26, 2024

![](https://blog.widseth.com/hubfs/The%20Pond%20on%20Madison%20-%20Mankato%2c%20MN.jpg)

Chris LaCombe and his partners recognized the old Shopko building on Madison Avenue in Mankato as an opportunity for revitalization. They had a vision to bring another hockey rink to the area and surround it with various entertainment amenities. Widseth's architects and engineers were involved from the beginning and helped reshape the old big box structure into [The Pond on Madison](https://www.thepondonmadison.com/).

Many important details were considered when designing the project. Our team worked directly with former Mankato State University Hockey Coach Mike Hastings to discuss corridor widths, bench location, and spectator seating. New columns, footings, and beams were added to open up the space and support the roof. Humidity and temperature control were priorities throughout the design of the mechanical system to ensure ice quality and comfort for spectators on the mezzanine.  

 

 

"The Pond is unique to Mankato and to Minnesota," said Widseth architect Dana Hlebichuk. "When I talk about architecture and projects that define my career, this is one of them. Taking these old big box stores and rehabilitating them into something that everybody can buy into is great."

In addition to the rink, the project also includes a Crooked Pint Ale House, an event space called [The Venue](https://www.thevenuemankato.com/), Green Mill on the Go, an arcade, golf simulators, duckpin bowling, and pickleball courts. [Click here](https://widseth.com/markets/commercial-architecture-engineering/#projects) to see more photos of the project.

"We had college players out here telling us it makes them feel like a kid again," said Chris. "One of the ideas behind the two-thirds-size rink was to bring the pond hockey back, put the fun back into the game, and we're really happy about that."

 

![https://youtu.be/3JtWECZU2kc](https://blog.widseth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Pond%20on%20Madison%20-%20Mankato%2c%20MN%20(14).jpg?width=760&height=285&name=The%20Pond%20on%20Madison%20-%20Mankato%2c%20MN%20(14).jpg)

 

<http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.widseth.com/the-pond-on-madison-mankatos-unique-hockey-and-entertainment-venue> <https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.widseth.com/the-pond-on-madison-mankatos-unique-hockey-and-entertainment-venue&text=VIDEO:%20The%20Pond%20on%20Madison,%20Mankato's%20Unique%20Hockey%20&%20Entertainment%20Venue> <https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.widseth.com/the-pond-on-madison-mankatos-unique-hockey-and-entertainment-venue> <https://www.tumblr.com/share/?url=https://blog.widseth.com/the-pond-on-madison-mankatos-unique-hockey-and-entertainment-venue> <http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.widseth.com/the-pond-on-madison-mankatos-unique-hockey-and-entertainment-venue> <https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://blog.widseth.com/the-pond-on-madison-mankatos-unique-hockey-and-entertainment-venue;title=VIDEO:%20The%20Pond%20on%20Madison,%20Mankato's%20Unique%20Hockey%20&%20Entertainment%20Venue>

![Widseth](https://blog.widseth.com/hubfs/Widseth%20logo%20for%20blog.jpg)

Widseth / About Author

 Widseth is a full-service architecture, engineering, environmental, and surveying firm with 11 offices in Minnesota and one in North Dakota. With 16 disciplines spanning dozens of markets, our team of 230+ professionals can help you with your project from start to finish.

[More posts by Widseth](https://blog.widseth.com/author/widseth)

#### Search Archives

#### Categories

### Posts by Topic

- [Staff News (98)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/staff-news)
- [Architecture (66)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/architecture)
- [Funding (61)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/funding)
- [Civil Engineering (53)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/civil-engineering)
- [Education (48)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/education)
- [Architectural Design (38)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/architectural-design)
- [Engineering (37)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/engineering)
- [Land Surveying (32)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/land-surveying)
- [Surveying (26)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/surveying)
- [Environmental (22)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/environmental)
- [Commercial (21)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/commercial)
- [Interior Design (18)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/interior-design)
- [Streets & Highways (17)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/streets-highways)
- [Utilities (17)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/utilities)
- [Water Resources Engineering (14)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/water-resources-engineering)
- [Industrial (13)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/industrial)
- [Community (11)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/community)
- [Cultural (11)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/cultural)
- [Landscape Architecture (11)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/landscape-architecture)
- [Sports & Recreation (11)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/sports-recreation)
- [Government (10)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/government)
- [Aerial Mapping (8)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/aerial-mapping)
- [Mechanical Engineering (8)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/mechanical-engineering)
- [GIS (7)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/gis)
- [Electrical Engineering (6)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/electrical-engineering)
- [Structural Engineering (6)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/structural-engineering)
- [Senior Living (5)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/senior-living)
- [Transportation Engineering (5)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/transportation-engineering)
- [Bridges (3)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/bridges)
- [Site Design (3)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/site-design)
- [Transmission & Distribution (3)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/transmission-distribution)
- [Healthcare (2)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/healthcare)
- [Planning (2)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/planning)
- [manufacturing (1)](https://blog.widseth.com/tag/manufacturing)

see all

#### Recent Posts

- [![](https://blog.widseth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ribbon%20Cutting.jpg?width=400&name=Ribbon%20Cutting.jpg)](https://blog.widseth.com/grand-re-openings-and-ribbon-cuttings-at-widseths-downtown-hibbing-and-duluth-offices)
  
  [Grand Re-openings and Ribbon Cuttings at Widseth’s Downtown Hibbing and Duluth Offices](https://blog.widseth.com/grand-re-openings-and-ribbon-cuttings-at-widseths-downtown-hibbing-and-duluth-offices)
  
   May 15, 2024
- [![](https://blog.widseth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Crosby-Ironton%20School%20District%20Video_v04header.jpg?width=400&name=Crosby-Ironton%20School%20District%20Video_v04header.jpg)](https://blog.widseth.com/crosby-ironton-superintendent-reflects-on-improvements-across-district)
  
  [Crosby-Ironton Superintendent Reflects on Improvements Across District](https://blog.widseth.com/crosby-ironton-superintendent-reflects-on-improvements-across-district)
  
   May 09, 2024
- [![Funding for SCDP grants.](https://blog.widseth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SCDP%20Grant%20Wins%202024-Recovered%20copy.jpg?width=400&name=SCDP%20Grant%20Wins%202024-Recovered%20copy.jpg)](https://blog.widseth.com/funding-assistance-makes-good-projects-affordable)
  
  [Funding Assistance Makes Good Projects Affordable](https://blog.widseth.com/funding-assistance-makes-good-projects-affordable)
  
   May 06, 2024

#### Connect With Us

<https://www.facebook.com/WidsethSmithNolting/> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/widseth-smith-nolting> <https://twitter.com/WIDSETHdesign> <https://www.youtube.com/user/widsethsmithnolting>

#### Newsletter Sign Up

![Widseth](https://blog.widseth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Widseth_june2020/images/footerlogo.png?width=250&name=footerlogo.png "Widseth")

We are a full-service, multi-discipline design and consulting firm serving the Upper Midwest since 1975.

[Contact Us](https://widseth.com/contact-us/)

### Services

- [Architecture](https://widseth.com/architecture/)
- [Engineering](https://widseth.com/engineering/)
- [Environmental](https://widseth.com/environmental/)
- [Surveying](https://widseth.com/surveying/)

### Newsletter

### Get In Touch

Phone:

[218-829-5117](tel:218-829-5117)

---

[Alexandria](https://widseth.com/contact-us/#locations)   
[Bemidji](https://widseth.com/contact-us/#locations)   
[Brainerd/Baxter](https://widseth.com/contact-us/#locations)  
[Crookston](https://widseth.com/contact-us/#locations)  
[Duluth](https://widseth.com/contact-us/#locations)  
[E Grand Forks](https://widseth.com/contact-us/#locations)<https://widseth.com/contact-us/>

<https://widseth.com/contact-us/>[Grand Forks](https://widseth.com/contact-us/#locations)  
[Hibbing](https://widseth.com/contact-us/#locations)  
[Mankato](https://widseth.com/contact-us/#locations)  
[Perham](https://widseth.com/contact-us/#locations)  
[Rochester](https://widseth.com/contact-us/#locations)  
[Wyoming](https://widseth.com/contact-us/#locations)

<https://www.facebook.com/WidsethSmithNolting/> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/widseth-smith-nolting> <https://twitter.com/WIDSETHdesign> <https://www.youtube.com/user/widsethsmithnolting>

- [Blog](https://widseth.com/blog/)
- [About Us](https://widseth.com/about-us/)
- [Careers](https://widseth.com/about-us/careers/)
- [Contact Us](https://widseth.com/contact-us/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://blog.widseth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/privacy-policy.pdf)

© Widseth Smith Nolting & Assoc., Inc.