News

Point Mallard Event Center Nears Completion

After sitting unused for several years, the former Point Mallard Ice Complex is entering its final construction phase. It remains on track to reopen in May 2026 as a modern, flexible event center.

The City of Decatur began planning the conversion after the ice rink closed in 2019 due to mechanical failure, rising repair costs, and long-term operating losses. Following years of public discussion and financial review, city leaders approved a plan to repurpose the building as an indoor event center to meet growing community demand for temperature-controlled gathering space.

The nearly 30,000-square-foot facility will feature a large event floor, multiple breakout rooms, and a lobby that can host conferences, weddings, trade shows, nonprofit events, and city functions. Once open, the event center will complement existing venues such as Ingalls Harbor, expanding the city’s overall capacity for year-round events.

As construction nears completion, the Decatur City Council is considering a construction change order tied to life-safety requirements and finish work discovered during the renovation of the existing structure. The change order includes updates to fire alarm infrastructure, emergency lighting, sprinkler coverage, and interior finishes to ensure the facility opens fully code-compliant and ready for public use.

Mayor Kent Lawrence said the action reflects the council’s responsibility to see the project through responsibly.

“As this project moves toward completion, the City Council’s role is to ensure the facility opens safely, complies with current codes, and reflects the responsible use of public funds,” Lawrence said. “The proposed change order does not change the project’s direction. It ensures the job is completed the right way.”

Parks and Recreation Director Hunter Allen emphasized that the updates are part of completing a renovation within an existing structure.

“Change orders are a normal part of renovating an older building,” Allen said. “These updates address life-safety requirements and complete the work needed to ensure the event center opens fully functional, code-compliant, and ready to serve the public from day one.”

Once complete, the Point Mallard Event Center will offer a new indoor option for families, nonprofits, and organizations seeking flexible event space, activating a building that has been unused since 2019.

Additional details on booking information, rental rates, and opening events will be shared closer to the facility’s opening.