BGSU commits $2.5 million for ice arena improvements

7/31/2009

BOWLING GREEN - A $2.5 million commitment of capital improvement funds was made yesterday by Bowling Green State University to be utilized for the renovation of the university's ice arena, according to BGSU president Carol Cartwright.

In addition, state representative Randy Gardner and state senator Mark Wagoner secured another $1.5 million in funding from the state of Ohio to assist with renovation plans for the Falcons hockey team's home ice facility.

"These funds are clearly needed to keep the facility viable," Cartwright said. "That is important for the Bowling Green community and the university."

As part of the deal to receive state funds the university is also expected to raise money for a financial contribution going toward the project.

An assessment regarding the potential of a fund-raising plan to assist the ice arena renovations and hockey scholarship endowments commenced in June. Results from the study are expected at the end of August.

"I am confident that the funds necessary to ensure the future of the arena and BGSU hockey can be raised," Cartwright said. "I want to make it very clear that we want this effort to succeed."