A historic donation to the University of St. Thomas will place a new multi-purpose sports arena on the university's south campus within the next three years.
While the school will be footing the bill for a majority of the arena, it is also receiving help from local donors.
Lee and Penny Anderson are donating $75 million to the school for the purpose of constructing the arena. The donation is believed to be the largest-ever donation to a Minnesota university.
“Our hope and our dream is that this new arena has even more community, camaraderie, and connection for each and every Tommy, alumnus, fan, visitor, and the people who live and work in St. Paul,” Lee Anderson said at an event announcing the donation and arena.
“Provided that we have the funds raised, we should put a shovel in the ground sometime in 2024,” St. Thomas athletic director Phil Esten said.
In total, Esten says the project’s estimated to cost $175 million. The new sports arena will house the school’s basketball and hockey teams.
The university expects to demolish three buildings on its south campus in St. Paul to make room for the arena, which is expected to open in fall 2025, according to Esten.
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