10-7-98

Contacts:
Murray Blackwelder, External Affairs, (515) 294-7730
Thomas Mitchell, ISU Foundation, (515) 294-4607
Steve Sullivan, News Service, (515) 294-3720

ISU FOUNDATION COMPLETES FINAL FUNDING FOR NEW ICE ARENA

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State University Foundation has completed the final fund-raising component needed to construct a new ice arena for Ames and Iowa State University, according to an announcement today by Foundation President Tom Mitchell. The private fund-raising goal for the $3.7 million project was $300,000.

"We now have commitments in writing of $225,000 and are finalizing verbal commitments of another $100,000," Mitchell said. "Reaching this private fund-raising goal speaks to the dedication and persistence of a great team of fund-raisers who worked in partnership with ISU hockey coach Al Murdoch and the community leaders serving on the ice fund- raising steering committee. In the past several months, they contacted more than 350 potential donors and interested alumni to reach this goal."

Among the donors making leadership gift commitments of $10,000 or more are Rich Johansen, Ames; the Ames Minor Hockey Association; and former ISU hockey players Dan Buffington of Cedar Rapids, Dennis Vaillant of Apple Valley, Minn., Mark Lovejoy of Colorado Springs, Col. and Scott Calvert of Savage, Minn.

The new arena will be built on land adjacent to the existing facility on Green Hills Park Drive. The land was donated by ISU. ISU students allocated $1.7 million for the project through increased student fees. The City of Ames passed a $1.7 million bond issue for the project.

The existing arena was built in 1978 and is owned by ISU and managed by the City of Ames. It is home to ISU's men's and women's hockey teams, intramural hockey, broomball, Ames Figure Skating Association, Ames Minor Hockey Association and Ames Adult Hockey. It is used for programs and classes by Ames Parks and Recreation and the ISU department of health and human performance.

The old ice arena has several problems related to its age, physical condition and high demand for use.

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Revised 10/7/98