As a college-hockey venue, the new arena should be one of the finest in the nation – especially when compared to the existing DECC arena. The existing arena is one of the few still in use in the college game where the view is better from the second deck than the first-level bowl; season-ticket-holders flock to that level. That will change in the new facility.

The new arena will feature:

• 16 suites (15 standard suites and one party suite). All are located on their own level.
• Expanded concourses: the current arena features 14-foot-wide concourses, while the new arena will sport 18-foot-wide concourses. Fans will be able to watch the action from the concourse a la Mariucci Arena.
• More concession stands: 35 fixed, 6 portable.
• A UMD Club lounge.
• 34 inches of legroom between rows in the lower bowl, 33 includes of legroom in the upper bowl.
• 20-inch-wide seats throughout.
• A video scoreboard.
• Additional restroom space for women.
• Clubhouses for both men’s and women’s UMD hockey teams.
• A UMD team store.
• A slightly larger ice sheet: 85x200, versus 85x195 in the current DECC.

The design is from Kansas City-based HOK Sport and Duluth-based SJA Architects. It’s modern, to be sure; glass will be heavily used to provide views of the harbor and downtown Duluth. In that respect it will represent a mini-Xcel Energy Center – no surprise, as HOK Sport designed both. There will also be an emphasis on natural materials throughout.

The arena will also be integrated into the current DECC convention space, allowing larger conventions and meetings. The DECC is a fairly popular venue, and the new arena gives the DECC 20,000 feet of additional floor space for events and trade shows. In addition, the new arena is designed to hold concerts and other family events.

Funding for the new $80-million arena comes from the state of Minnesota (bonding approved in the last legislative session), a voter-approved increase in the city’s food and beverage tax, UMD and the DECC.