The University of St. Thomas' Lee & Penny Anderson Arena has been named Project of the Year by Finance & Commerce as part of its Top Projects of 2025: Best of the Best awards, which recognize Minnesota’s top construction projects for excellence in design, innovation and collaboration.
In recognizing the project, Finance & Commerce wrote:
“The Lee & Penny Anderson Arena marks the University of St. Thomas’s bold entry into Division I athletics. Its transforming main floor converts from a 4,000-seat hockey rink to a 5,300-seat basketball court in under a day, uniting seven athletic programs. Built in 17 months on a tight urban site, the facility blends Collegiate Gothic heritage with cutting-edge innovation and community purpose.
The project team includes contractor Ryan Companies, architect and interior designer Ryan A+E, Inc., and engineers Ryan A+E, Inc. and Meyer Borgman Johnson.”
Opened in 2025, the 167,000-square-foot Lee & Penny Anderson Arena is home to Tommie men's and women's hockey and basketball and serves as a hub for campus and community events. The facility earned LEED Silver certification for its sustainable design and construction and has become a centerpiece of the university's Division I athletics transition.
