Project Overview
The university is excited to bring the Lee and Penny Anderson arena to campus. The proposed project will include one building to house a dual-purpose competition venue for the university's hockey and basketball programs with capacity for approximately 4,000 to 5,500 spectators. It is expected to be completed in August of 2025, just in time for the hockey and basketball seasons. The arena will also serve as a space for commencement, convocations, job fairs, and other events.
2024 EAW Update
A negative declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was issued by the City on September 26, 2023 (2023 Findings of Fact). An appeal of the negative declaration on the need for an EIS was filed in October 2023 with the Minnesota Court of Appeals. An opinion was issued by the Court of Appeals on July 8, 2024 (the COA Opinion), reversing and remanding the City’s negative declaration on the need for an EIS.
The City, in coordination with UST, is providing a 2024 EAW Update to include the additional analysis noted in the COA Opinion: the Schoenecker Center and greenhouse gas emissions related to spectator vehicles.
The EAW was published on October 8, 2024, which initiated the 30-day public comment period. Members of the public will have an opportunity to comment through November 7, 2024. Email your comments to the City of St. Paul at StThomasArena_EAW@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Construction Updates
Construction of the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena is currently underway.
Questions from Neighbors
Arena Conversations in the Community
Over the past several months, the University of St. Thomas has continued to gather questions from neighbors about the development of the multipurpose Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. This list is intended to inform the public about the multipurpose arena and clarify any information that has been shared in the community.
Read some of the questions and comments we have received, in addition to our responses, at the link below.
Event Management Plan
As we plan for the opening of the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena, the University of St. Thomas is developing an Event Management Plan (EMP) with the City of St. Paul Traffic Engineering Department and the St. Paul Police Dept. This was a requirement of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) mitigation and noted in the Site Plan approval as an outstanding condition. The EMP will be finalized in the coming months.
Sustainability at St. Thomas
Principles of sustainability have been a key priority in the development of the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. As such, St. Thomas is mitigating potential environmental impacts associated with the arena's construction.
