Colorado College has taken a major step toward completing hockey’s Robson Arena, as the planned venue received Colorado Springs City Council approval Tuesday.
Robson Arena, which has been in the works as part of the City for Champions initiative, will be located on the southeast side of the Colorado College campus. The 3,400-seat venue will be designed to accommodate the college’s varsity hockey program, along with events such as student life activities, intramurals, community hockey, and more.
On Tuesday, the Colorado Springs City Council voted 7-0 to approve plans for the arena project. This helps Colorado College solidify the timeline for the project, which currently calls for a February 15 groundbreaking ceremony and an opening date in fall 2021. More from the Colorado Springs Gazette:
“We really feel that this is going to be transformational for us, obviously not only for the hockey team, but for the campus community, for students, for faculty, for staff,” said Lesley Irvine, Colorado College’s athletic director and vice president.
The arena will occupy a city block, bound by Dale Street to the south, Tejon Street to the west, Cache La Poudre Street to the north, and Nevada Avenue to the east. Development plans also include a 324-spot parking garage on Dale Street and space for campus offices, college retailers and a restaurant along Tejon Street.
It’s part of a series of projects, dubbed the “City for Champions” campaign, that were originally proposed by city officials and civic leaders in 2013 and designed to boost Colorado tourism. Construction officially began on Saturday on another centerpiece of the initiative: the 8,000-seat outdoor stadium, at Cimarron and Sahwatch streets, that will serve as the home of the Swtichbacks soccer team.
According to figures released by Colorado College on Tuesday, approximately $35.4 million has been raised for the project, including $26.2 million in gifts and pledges plus $9.2 million in City for Champions funding. Colorado College hockey currently plays its home games at Broadmoor World Arena.
Rendering courtesy Colorado College.
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