The University of Connecticut’s board of trustees on Wednesday approved a plan to build a $70 million ice rink at its flagship Storrs campus.
Under the plan, UConn will fund construction of the 2,600-seat arena with $33 million from selling revenue bonds, $20 million in donations for the rink and $17 million in university funds, according to the university. The rink will be located near the current Freitas Ice Arena in the Athletics District on Jim Calhoun Way.
“I think this is going to be a real game-changer, so to speak, for UConn hockey,” said Andy Bessette, a trustee and executive of property-and-casualty insurer Travelers Cos.
UConn officials estimate the arena will be ready to open by fall of 2022. The board in 2018 had approved plans to build the 97,300-square-foot facility, with an estimated completion date of fall, 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the project, according to UConn.
The new arena will host all games of UConn’s women’s hockey team, and will be home to the men’s team, which has played at the XL Center in Hartford, UConn said.
