Explosion of arena projects

Last update: May 4, 2008 - 11:58 PM

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A rundown on hockey arena projects the bonding bill signed a month ago will assist:

BEMIDJI

Proposed facility: Bemidji Regional Events Center. It will have a 4,000-seat arena with a 50-foot ceiling and 25 suites - only one college arena (North Dakota's) has more -- and a lakeside conference facility.

Completion date: Jan. 1, 2011 (latest estimate).

Cost: About $75 million; $20 million from the bonding bill passed a month ago; the rest from a half-cent sales tax in Bemidji for 30 years, the arena lease with Bemidi State and, if needed, city belt-tightening.

Present facility: John S. Glas Fieldhouse, opened Nov. 17, 1967, seats 2,399 -- all on one side.

DULUTH

Proposed facility: Arena unnamed as yet. It will have 6,800 seats, wide concourses, more women's restrooms, better viewing areas for the disabled.

Completion date: Start of 2010-11 season.

Cost: $68 million: $38 million from bonding bill, rest from UMD lease and .075 percentage-point increase in Duluth's food and beverage tax.

Present facility: Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, opened in 1966, seats 5,300.

CROOKSTON

Proposed facility: Arena unnamed. It will have 1,500 seats in the main rink and one or two practice rinks.

Completion date: 2010-11 season.

Cost: $14.8 million; $10 million from bonding bill, rest from city funds for building improvements and fundraising.

Present facility: Crookston Civic Arena, built in late 1930s, expanded with second ice sheet in late 1970s.

ST. CLOUD

Facility: National Hockey Center

Proposed renovations: A new lobby, additional suites and locker rooms, better access for the disabled.

Completion date: Unavailable. Spring 2009 is probably the earliest work would start.

Cost: $14 million; $6.5 million from bonding bill, rest from fundraising

Present features: National Hockey Center was built in 1989. It has 5,763 seats, five VIP boxes, 12 locker rooms, athletic training room, fitness center, players lounge.

ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ