St. Thomas building $52 million athletic complex
The University of St. Thomas will build a new athletic complex on the school's St. Paul campus. College officials say it will be the biggest construction project in St. Thomas' history.
The $52 million facility will be called the Anderson Athletic and Recreation complex, named in honor of Lee and Penny Anderson who recently gave the university $60 million.
Construction on the 180,000-square-foot building will begin in May.
Three buildings on campus at the corner of Summit and Cretin Avenues will be razed to make room for the complex.
The new building is expected to open in fall 2010. It will feature a 2,000 seat arena, an aquatic center and a 200-meter running track.
St. Thomas also plans to build a $66 million student center nearby, although that project has been delayed.
The college's board of trustees cited concern over how the weakened economy could hurt the University's ability to raise money. Construction on the new student center could begin in fall of 2010.
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