PELHAM – The main arena at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena will soon undergo an upgrade, according to facility administrator Danny Tate.

By January 2019, the dasher board tempered glass that wraps around the ice rink will be replaced with Plexiglas.

Tate said the upgrade will make the rink compliant with the Southern Professional Hockey League’s rules, which requires the glass to be 8 feet behind the hockey goals and around the players’ benches and penalty boxes. The glass on the sides of the rink must be 6 feet.

Right now, Tate said the tempered glass is 5 feet on the ends behind the hockey goals and 4 feet along the sides.

“The greatest benefit is that this will add to the fan experience because Plexiglas makes a louder sound when the puck hits it, which is something I think will create a livelier atmosphere, and this is safer in the long run,” Tate said. “There have also been incidences where fans try to reach up over the glass and participate in the game, which can be dangerous, so this will be safer overall.”

Tate added that when tempered glass breaks, it shatters, which is another safety concern. Plexiglas has more give and it’s more shatter resistant. Tate said tempered glass panels normally break once or twice a year and it costs several hundreds to replace a section of glass.

The Pelham City Council approved a resolution at a meeting on Dec. 3 authorizing the $73,888 purchase of the Plexiglas from Athletica Sport Systems. All Star Arenas will install the glass, which will push the final cost to about $85,000.

In other business, the council:

-Approved a request by Verizon for modifications to an existing telecommunications facility located at 5010 Oak Mountain Drive.

-Is accepting applications for the Storm Water Board. The deadline for submitting applications and resumes is Friday, Dec. 28, at 5 p.m.