The new arena on Duluth’s harbor will be known as Amsoil Arena, as the local firm ponies up $6 million in a naming-rights deal.
Amsoil is a manufacturer of synthetic lubricants and a major Twin Ports employer.
The arena, slated to serve as the home of the University of Minnesota-Duluth mens’ hockey team, is part of the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, which include an existing arena, curling sheets IMAX theater and a convention center.
“Throughout the planning and construction process, the DECC Board has always sought ways to make this great new arena even greater for residents of the entire region,†said Mark Emmel, the DECC’s board chair. “One important way of doing that is through a naming rights agreement, and we wanted to team up with a company that’s local, has a reach far beyond this area, and has a reputation for excellence. AMSOIL not only met but greatly exceeded all of those criteria, and we’re looking forward to an exciting, long term relationship with them.â€
The agreement calls for the DECC to receive $6 million over a 20 year term.
AMSOIL Arena will officially open on December 30, 2010, with a men’s hockey game between UMD and North Dakota. The arena will seat 6,600 for hockey games and more than 8,500 for concerts.
