A Lend-Lease hangar from Tanacross, moved and rebuilt in 1968 by a coach and student volunteers
The Big Dipper was a World War II Lend-Lease aircraft hangar in Tanacross before 1968. That year Hez Ray, a teacher and coach at Lathrop High School, organized a crew of high school students and volunteers to dismantle it and rebuild it in Fairbanks, where it became the city's first indoor ice arena. The group paid a dollar for the hangar, used equipment donated by Fairbanks construction companies, then built an ice rink and bleachers inside.
Heated restrooms and locker rooms with showers were added in 1972-1973, but the building itself stayed unheated until its 1980s renovation. The World Eskimo Indian Olympics was held in the building for most of its existence. The Fairbanks Ice Dogs hockey team calls the arena home, and a bronze plaque commemorates Hez Ray.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough closed the arena on May 2, 2026 for structural repairs, and it was expected to stay closed through October.
Admission, rentals and arrival details, researched from official rink information. Source checks stay current for 30 days.
Drop-in skating is $5 for youth (3-17), $8 for adults (18-59), $6 for seniors (60+), $4 for disabled patrons and $21 for a household; a 10-event pass is $45 youth, $73 adult, $54 senior and $36 disabled, and skate rental is $4 ($36 for 10).
Source checked · · Official source
Skate rental is $4 per visit, or $36 for ten.
Source checked · · Official source
A source check records what the rink published on that date. Session-specific booking details take precedence.