Huskies ready for new venue

Come October of 2013, the Husky hockey program and their fans will be enjoying the recently finished renovations of the National Hockey and Event Center.

“We feel very fortunate in the existing facility and all its purpose it has served over the years,” Morris Kurtz, Director of Athletics, said.

“We have been utilizing the original facility and we are now merely enhancing it. It was a challenging process, but we are excited about the National Hockey and Events Center and all it future potential.”

The National Hockey Center was original finished in 1989. With the renovations that are in place, the new building will be able not only host hockey games, but will be capable of hosting concerts, theater productions, speakers, ceremonies and various other athletic events.

“The current program is doing very well and we hope to maintain the status of the program,” Kurtz said. “Along with all the renovations to fifth avenue, we think the renovations to the NHEC will serve its purpose well.”

The Civic Center as well as the NHEC are considered the “anchors” to the extensive re-development of Fifth Avenue, which will include additional housing, and commercial and retail facilities.

“The National Hockey Center has always been viewed as just a hockey facility,” Athletic Development Director Sara Granheim said.

“With these renovations the current building will be able to hosts certain events with a greater capacity. It was definitely in need of an upgrade.”

Granheim works with alumni and with athletics for scholarships and fundraising.

“Right now we are in the quiet phase of the campaign,” Granheim said. “This project will cost over $30 million. We have received private gifts as well as 6.5 million from the state of Minnesota. The public kick off for the new NHEC will be in the Spring.”

Mayor Dave Kleis, State Rep. Steve Gottwalt, Governor Tim Pawlenty, State Rep Dan Severson and State Sen. Tarryl Clark attended the ceremony celebrating the signing of the bonding bill in 2008.

JLG Architects of Alexandria, Minneapolis, Minn., Grand Forks and Fargo N.D., was selected to head up the renovations that will start in August 2010.

JLG has had past experiences such as the $100 million Ralph Engelstad Arena and the Corporate Center in Grand Forks, civic centers in Bismarck and Fargo, N.D., the North Dakota Museum of Art, The Mississippi Master Plan for Elk River, Minn. with various other projects completed in the Upper Midwest.

The main differences will include 20 to 30 luxury suites and additional  general seating. The entrance ticketing, administration, pro-shop, concourse, restroom and concession areas will be upgraded. The total number of seats for an event will hold around 8,000.

“It is a wonderful facility,” said Head Men’s Hockey Coach Bob Motzko.

“A lot of things have happened in 20 years. I think our fans and supporters will benefit greatly. It is for the University as well as the community. It is going to be fun for the overall experience.

“I think we as sports fans are happy. The XCEL Energy Center is a great place for hockey and the Gophers have the new TCF Bank Stadium for football. The sports enthusiast welcomes changes.”

The new renovations are for enhancing the fan experience and creating an event center for central Minnesota.

“We are the state of hockey,” Motzko said. “We play in an aggressive league. Our school has been terrific as well as in need of an upgrade. The new NHEC benefits will be felt by many.”