University of Wisconsin Athletics announced Tuesday they will postpone plans for a new hockey facility, which would connect the SERF and the Kohl Center and would include a new professional ice rink, due to funding problems.
Outlined plans presented last October for the facility included an ice rink just west of the Kohl Center, which would serve as a new hockey arena for UW. The ice rink would provide the women’s hockey team with a competition and practice facility, as well as a practice arena for the men’s team, whose lease to practice in the Alliant Energy Center is set to end in 2013.
Plans for the facility project are delayed “until further notice,” according to a statement from UW Athletics.
In the statement, Athletic Director Barry Alvarez said UW Athletics would continue to work toward building the facility. He went on to say many people have already donated and the department is appreciative of their support, but they are not financially ready to move forward with the plans.
“The delay is basically because we’re not comfortable with where we are financially,” Athletic Department spokesperson Justin Doherty said. “The current economy, I think, makes everything more difficult.”
Doherty said the plans for the facility would likely remain the same, though the Athletic Department is unsure when they will be brought up again. He added the fundraising efforts are not stopping with the plans.
“Our development staff is continuing to work hard to reach out to folks. Many have already supported it financially, others have said they will or would like to, but just can’t right now,” Doherty said.
The original plans presented in fall 2007 aimed to provide student athletes the ability to compete at the highest level in the best facilities in the country. The introduction of a hockey arena in the facility was designed to cater to the needs of the fans and the team, particularly for women’s hockey.
Project architect Lou Stippich said in October the initial plans for the ice rink’s design aimed to match the look of the Kohl Center. A pedestrian walkway would also reduce pedestrian and vehicular traffic during Kohl Center events.
A possible addition to the ice rink would be a display of the history of Wisconsin hockey. The interior of the building would showcase UW men’s and women’s hockey visible to pedestrians through the glass walls.
Members of the Urban Design Commission also suggested the inclusion of greenery, clean parking lot designs and a statue of renowned hockey coach Bob Johnson.
Offices for the hockey and swimming programs, and a variety of locker and athletic training rooms would also be included in the facility.
Doherty said the plans would remain the same when eventually re-implemented.
“Nothing has changed for the plans for the facility, it will just likely start later than we would have originally planned,” he said.
