Center ice and halfcourt are taking shape at the University of St. Thomas as construction on the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena reaches new heights. The multiuse arena on the university’s St. Paul, Minnesota, campus will host the Tommie ice hockey and basketball programs.
After months of footing and foundation work, excitement is building as construction crews take their effort skyward this fall. New steel beams are hoisted into place daily, bringing the main arena and seating areas into view. Masonry teams are on site as walls go up, stairwells are raised and Kasota limestone is readied to give the building’s exterior its distinctive St. Thomas look.
In addition to the roughly 5,000-seat arena, the state-of-the-art facility will feature a second ice rink, practice facilities, sports and nutrition performance areas, locker rooms and coaching offices. Fans can expect a premium experience throughout the building with fantastic sight lines and various club spaces.
The Lee & Penny Anderson Arena arrives on campus as Minnesota’s largest private university embraces its history-making transition to Division I. In fall 2021, St. Thomas became the first Division III institution in the modern NCAA era to transition directly to Division I athletics competition.
“St. Thomas has demonstrated commitment to excellence in all that it does, and this arena shows that same commitment to our Division I transition,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Phil Esten said. “Hockey and basketball compete in some of the country’s best conferences, and this new arena will provide practice, competition, and fan experiences expected of a Division I program.”
Aside from hockey and basketball games, the arena will host St. Thomas commencement ceremonies, career fairs and other community events. St. Thomas is preparing to partner with local schools, youth sports organizations, area businesses and nonprofits to transform the arena into a neighborhood hub.
“Ever since the arena was announced we’ve been getting really excited about what a D-I program and a state-of-the-art facility can do for the city of St. Paul and the local community,” President of St. Paul Capitals Hockey Julie Bustos said. “Right now, we’re challenged with a lack of sheets of ice to play on. This quite literally could be the lifeblood that allows those programs to continue.”
Lee and Penny Anderson, two long-standing benefactors of St. Thomas, gave a $75 million lead naming gift to kick-start construction on the multiuse, on-campus arena. The couple’s donation is one of the 10 largest known collegiate athletics gifts ever received nationally.
Season ticket holders during the 2024-25 season will receive priority access to seat selection inside Lee & Penny Anderson Arena. Become a season ticket holder by purchasing Tommie Hockey or Basketball season tickets.
