ANN ARBOR—University of Michigan Regents at their July 13-14 meeting approved a project to add seats to Yost Ice Arena.

“When the arena was renovated in 1996-97 to bring it into compliance with electrical, mechanical, elevator, fire safety and Americans with Disabilities Act codes, it lost approximately 700 seats,” explained Robert Kasdin, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “With the success of the hockey program, including two national championships in the last four years, the demand for tickets remains very high.”

According to Interim Athletic Director Bill Martin, Rossetti and Associates Inc., the architect that designed the previous renovation, has been retained “to investigate the possibility of creating additional seating on the east side of the existing arena. Approximately 400 premium seats could be added to the upper area on the east side of the arena, similar to the press box mezzanine in the west side. We propose to use these seats to specifically accommodate benefactors and friends of the Michigan Hockey Program,” Martin said. “We would expect to free up general seating by an equivalent amount, assuming that patrons who would be interested in the proposed seats already hold season tickets in the arena.”

The project also includes additional bathroom facilities and a hospitality space for pre-game and between-period activities.

Design work for the project will be completed this fall, with construction to take place during the next off-season. The additional seating would be completed by the start of the hockey season in fall 2001.

The preliminary cost projection for the project is $1.4 million, to be realized through revenues generated by the additional seats. Eventually, the Athletic Department plans to use ticket revenue from these seats to support the Michigan Athletic Department Scholarship Fund. The Athletic Department will initially fund the project from department sources.

RegentsBill MartinAthletic Department