The team became popular and successful enough that the program was formally established in 1935 and an indoor rink was needed to replace the outdoor surface at Ives Park.

The Clarkson Arena was completed in 1938 and played home to the ice hockey program for the next 53 years.

The building was renovated multiple times, first in 1952 when artificial ice was installed then again in 1971 when heating and additional seats were added.

[2] By the late 1980s the building was beginning to show its age and plans for its replacement soon came to pass.

After the hockey team transferred to the Cheel Arena The building was renamed the 'Walker Center' and remained mostly disused until a major renovation turned it into a multipurpose facility with a synthetic turf used by the soccer, lacrosse and other field programs.