Members of the Arizona State University’s Board of Regents may soon sign off on a plan to build a new 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Tempe that would be used primarily by the Sun Devils ice hockey team.
University officials have submitted a plan to the Regents’ finance committee calling for the construction of the big facility adjacent to the existing Sun Devil Track Stadium, to the east of S. Packard Drive near East 6th Street.
Earlier plans called for the project to be a part of the Desert Financial Arena’s renovation. That arena, located at 600 E. Veterans Way, is the home to the school’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.
If approved, the anticipated $120 million project could see work beginning no later than November of this year, with a likely late summer 2022 completion date.
The Sun Devils currently play most of their games at the Oceanside Ice Arena, also in Tempe.
A decision on the new arena plan could be made by the Regents Board in early April.
By Garry Boulard