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Michigan State Holding off on Munn Ice Arena Overhaul

Michigan State University is holding off on a proposed renovation to Munn Ice Arena, with officials hoping to raise funds for the project. 

As previously proposed, Munn Ice Arena would receive a series of upgrades that would improve the hockey experience for fans and players alike. A new two-story, glass and steel facade would be constructed along the south end of the venue, and amenities such as meeting and recruiting space, offices, and training facilities would be upgraded.

The project has been estimated to cost $18-$20 million, and Michigan State is seeking to raise funds to move the renovation forward. That means it is on hold, for now, but university officials stress that a modernization of Munn Ice Arena is still desired. More from The Detroit Free Press:

The $18-$20 million addition to Munn Ice Arena has been on hold because of a lack of donations, athletic director Mark Hollis said this week, but revitalizing the Spartans’ hockey home remains “a high priority.”

“It’s just about getting the lead gift in place so something like that can happen,” Hollis said this week at the Big Ten athletic directors meetings.

Deputy athletic director Greg Ianni said in 2013 Munn upgrades were on the horizon after the completion of the north end zone addition at Spartan Stadium. However, a number of other projects — including more updates at Spartan Stadium, Breslin Center and Jenison Field House — moved in front of the major Munn project.

Munn opened in 1974 and ranks as the second-oldest Big Ten hockey venue behind Michigan’s Yost Ice Arena, which debuted in 1923. Yost underwent a $16-million renovation in 2012, along with about $3.5 million in other enhancements since 2000 that rehabbed the venerable building into a much more modern and fan-friendly environment.

While a more extensive overhauled is still being pursued, Michigan State has completed some updates to Munn Ice Arena in recent years, including a videoboard that was installed in late 2014.

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