This is the floor plan for inside the new arena. The facility will have two ice skating rinks.
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – In a statement released by Penn State University President Graham Spanier announced that it is accepting the largest private gift in the University’s history, $88 million dollars from Terrence and Kim Pegula to fund a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose arena that will house the Nittany Lions mens and womans NCAA Division I men’s hockey program. The Pegulas reside in Boca Raton, Fla. and have been leaders in the oil and natural gas industry. Terrence is a former graduate of PSU with a bachelor of science degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering from Penn State in 1973. Kim is a graduate of Houghton College. “We feel extraordinarily fortunate to have had great success due to the efforts of the exceptional management and fine employees of East Resources Inc., providing indigenous energy to the United States,” said Terry Pegula. “We want to share our success with the people of Pennsylvania and with the very institution that helped me obtain the tools to launch my career in the oil and natural gas industry. “We will now see through the hard work of the Penn State family that our passion will be shared with the families and communities of the region surrounding Penn State. We expect that Penn State will become a destination, not just for top college players and coaches, but also for the growing base of hockey fans from across the Commonwealth and the country.” The new arena at University Park will be the only major hockey rink within an 80-mile radius and is expected to open in December 2013. The arena will also serve as the new training facility for the figure skating club and for recreational and high school hockey as well as intramural and local speed skating and
Here is an ariel view of where the new arena will be housed.
broomball clubs. The state-of-the-art arena will be able to host events such as ice shows and NHL and AHL exhibition games that should help attract tourism in the region. Penn State hockey is currently in the ACHA (American College Hockey Association). No word yet on what division the Nittany Lions will appear in once the arena is complete. The early money will be on the program joining the CCHA (Central Collegiate Hockey Association) which already has Michigan and Ohio State in the 11 team league. Contact the author at
Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com Related
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