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New Michigan hockey arena mentioned in recent feasibility study

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•about 13 hours•

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Syndication: Detroit Free Press
Michigan may explore expanding Yost Arena or building a new hockey facility entirely. (Junfu Han/Detroit Free Press via Imagn)

The Michigan Wolverines have called Yost Arena its ice hockey home since 1973, but a recent feasibility study into the foundation of a women’s hockey program kicks around the idea of a new facility on campus.

College Hockey News obtained the results of a recent study on what it would take to found a team for Michigan women’s hockey, which has been playing under a club designation since 1994. Run by College Sports Associates (CSA), the study outlined what would be necessary to get the ball rolling, which includes expanded facilities and, potentially, a new home for the men’s and women’s teams.

“The seemingly most viable option is adding a new arena on campus that would house both teams,” CHN reporter Tyler Kuehl writes. “The new building, projected to cost around $300 million, would give a new home to both the men’s and the new women’s team. The plan would be to construct a rink with an 8,000-10,000 seating capacity, similar to what is seen at Mariucci Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

“While the cost of building a new arena is high, it would not only provide better amenities to fans but also give the teams improved facilities that are comparable to other elite programs around the NCAA. Yost Arena’s capacity is currently around 6,000.”

CHN’s report also states the study included the option of two rinks for the separate programs. Michigan men’s hockey would play in the larger arena, while a smaller rink similar to Minnesota’s Ridder Arena (3,500 capacity) would be on the table. It would cost the university an estimated $330 million, per the feasibility study. The men staying at Yost and a new arena for the women was not mentioned in the report.

The cheapest option outlined in the study would be an expansion and upgrade of Yost, estimated to cost around $50 million. The proposed expansion from CSA would extend into the south parking lot near Schembecher Hall, which would cover additional locker rooms and more space for student-athletes.

CHN says that the Michigan athletic department is currently reviewing the study and will work with the board of regents to determine a path forward. The CSA study stated that if approved soon, a Michigan women’s team could start play officially as soon as Fall 2026.

The board of regents and President Santa Ono recommended the feasibility study to athletic director Warde Manuel last spring.

“It is a privilege and an honor to be recognized by the University of Michigan Board of regents and President Santa Ono for our current success and the previous efforts of every player, coach, volunteer and supporter of the University of Michigan women’s hockey program,” Wolverines coach Jenna Trubiano said in a statement to TheRinkLive.com last spring. “This is truly an exciting time for women’s sports, especially women’s hockey at Michigan with the success of our program and the newly created PWHL. I appreciate the public support for myself and our program and looking forward to seeing what the future of our program may look like.”

U-M’s potential addition to varsity status in women’s college hockey would allow them to join the four other Big Ten schools that sponsor the sport in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Penn State. It would likely join the WCHA, which also features Minnesota Duluth, St. Cloud State, Minnesota State, St. Thomas and Bemidji State.

Yost was built in 1923 as a field house and housed the men’s basketball until it relocated to Crisler Arena, now Crisler Center, in 1973. The last major renovation of Yost came in 2012.

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