DECC Arena Struggles To Stay Cool During Recent Harbor Monsters Games

DECC calls recent arena heat level "simply unacceptable"

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s been a hot, steamy and humid summer the past few weekends, which has been nice for beachgoers, but not so nice for the Harbor Monsters and their fans after the air in the DECC arena rose to uncomfortable levels.

The DECC told FOX 21 on Tuesday that the level of heat during the past two weekend games is “simply unacceptable.”

“Despite looking ahead at the forecast and pre-cooling the arena using cold air from AMSOIL Arena for three days, it was insufficient for game-day enjoyment,” according to the DECC’s statement. “This time, however, the unusually high heat and humidity bested our efforts. The floor-to-ceiling south-facing windows in the concourse also intensified the temperatures in that area.”

In 2023, the DECC Arena’s 57-year-old chiller (AC unit) was taken offline because management said it did not pass inspection and was deemed a significant safety risk.

The chiller not only cooled the air down, but made ice for the DECC Arena.

Since then, the DECC, which is a Minnesota State Authority, has been allocated bonding money for the new chiller unit at a cost of roughly $2.8 million.

But there’s a governmental process to getting the money, involving architects, pre-design approvals, RFPs and a construction design team, among other check-boxes.

DECC officials expect the new chiller to be completed in the summer of 2025.

In the meantime, DECC engineers are discussing temporary ideas to keep the DECC Arena cooled down enough on those unusually hot days for a better fan and player experience before for the next Harbor Monsters game Aug. 3.