ST. PAUL, Minn. — St. Thomas University announced plans for a 6,000-seat $130 million sports arena. The arena is part of the university’s giant leap from Division III in the Minnesota Intercollegiate league to Division I two years ago. Never had there been a move directly from Division III to Division I. The Tommies had so dominated the Minnesota league tyat two years ago that they were asked to leave to restore “competitive balance.” Among MIAC schools is Saint Mary’s in Winona. After being ejected, St. Thomas embarked on creating a Tier 1 athletic presence among Catholic universities. nThe project for a new arena was jump-tarted with a $75 million gift from Lee and Penny Anderson — itself the largest monetary gift to a university in Minnesota history and the ninth largest nationally designated for college sports.
2025 completion target. The arena will replace an 1,800-seat gym on campus and a 1,000-seat suburban ice arena shared with high schools eight miles from campus.
Philanthropists. The Anderson fortune is from 40 fire protection and industrial and specialty construction companies. They live in Florida and vacation in Minnesota. The arena will bear their names.