Renovations on Appleton Arena are set to begin this spring after the university received $17 million in donations for the project.
Appleton, built in 1951, is important to both the St. Lawrence and North Country communities, but is still ready for some changes.
St. Lawrence University has been planning to improve the facility for both athletes and fans for about two years, after conducting a comprehensive study.
The generous gifts financing the renovations came in through the Campaign for Every Laurentian. A $10 million gift helped kickstart an additional stream of donations throughout the summer. Construction will begin once the 2018-2019 hockey season ends.
The university announced that the new arena additions will include a “superior athletic facility” for both the men’s and women’s hockey teams. There will also be new spaces for the men’s and women’s lacrosse, field hockey, softball and crew teams, but these renovations will begin when additional fundraising ends.
One of the main goals of the renovations is to preserve many original features, while still making an upgrade that will support the various sports teams and fans alike.
The front of the arena will also be remodeled, while the inside will be preserved. The “iconic” wood seating and the vaulted roof will not be changed, but concessions are expanding, broadcast facilities will be updated and new social spaces will be added.
The arena has “aged over the years like a finely crafted historical home,” President Fox said in a university press release last week. “This project is so important.”
The construction company managing the renovations, Northland Associates, has worked on campus numerous times, including projects such as Kirk Douglas Hall and Johnson Hall of Science.
Two university groups of trustees and senior employees including coaches, as well as former St. Lawrence hockey players, have also been involved with planning this process. A global design company, HKO, assisted in creating detailed plans in the early stages as well.
Although many students, faculty and alumni are excited about the renovations, some have expressed concern that the university could have convinced donors to spend the money elsewhere.
One major financial issue the university is facing is dorm maintenance. The university had a deficit of $10 million last year and lacked sufficient funds for campus upkeep costs.
Earlier this fall, The Hill News reported that many students complained about inconsistent heat in some older dorms. Some find their rooms too cold, while others are too hot.
There were also more than 30 qualified applicants turned away from study abroad opportunities early this year, due to “budget issues.” Tuition costs are also rising by about 3.5 percent per year.
While there are definite benefits to the Appleton project, there are clearly other areas that merit funding as well. However, it was the donors’ choice to support the renovations, and the project is financed entirely by donations.