By Geoff Rushton, Penn State
UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State’s Board of Trustees on Friday (Nov. 5) approved the appointment of Crawford Architects of Kansas City, Mo., and Bohlin Cywinski Jackson of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., as architects for the design of a new 200,000-square-foot, multipurpose ice arena to be constructed at the University Park campus.
The arena, the establishment of NCAA Division I men’s and women’s ice hockey teams and enhanced figure skating opportunities are funded by an $88 million gift, announced in September, from Terrence M. and Kim Pegula.
“The arena will be an invaluable year-round asset for members of the University community, as well as for children, youth and families throughout central Pennsylvania,” said Al Horvath, senior vice president for finance and business/treasurer of the University.
Located near the corner of University Drive and Curtin Road across from the Bryce Jordan Center, the proposed arena will include two sheets of ice, accommodations for 5,000 to 6,000 spectators and the various support facilities required for a state-of-the-art venue, Horvath said.
Crawford Architects’ previous work includes projects such as Vector Arena in Aukland, New Zealand and Branson Convention and Exhibition Center in Branson, Mo.
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson designed the new Biobehavioral Health Building, currently under construction at Penn State’s University Park campus.