Midco Arena
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 | This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: rink has opened and hosted first home hockey games. (January 2024) |
“The Palace on Grange” | |
 | |
| Location | 2510 S Grange Ave Sioux Falls, SD, 57197 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°31′19″N 96°44′27″W / 43.5219°N 96.7409°W |
| Owner | Augustana University |
| Operator | Augustana University |
| Capacity | 3,082 |
| Surface | 200' x 85' (hockey) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | October 5, 2021 |
| Opened | January 26, 2024 (First Game) |
| Construction cost | $40 million (estimate) |
| Architect | JLG Architects |
| Tenants | |
| Augustana University Vikings men's ice hockey (2024–) | |
Midco Arena in Sioux Falls, South Dakota is a 3,082-seat[1] ice hockey arena on the campus of Augustana University. The arena broke ground on October 5, 2021[2] and opened as the permanent home of the Augustana Vikings men's ice hockey team on January 26, 2024.
History
[edit]Plans for Augustana University to begin playing varsity ice hockey began as far back as 2018 when the school's athletic department decided to move its programs to the NCAA Division I level.[3] The school formally announced that it was strongly considering adding a men's ice hockey program in the summer of 2021 but, as the school did not have a sufficient rink at their disposal, the goal was only tentative. Less than 4 months later, the school announced they were officially adding the program for the 2023–24 season when they broke ground for the Midco Arena.
The arena opened in January 2024. The Vikings played the first five home games of their inaugural 2023–24 season off campus at Denny Sanford Premier Center.[1] Midco Arena hosted its first Augustana game on January 26th, 2024 (a CCHA clash between the Vikings and the Ferris State Bulldogs).[4]
Namesake
[edit]Midco is a regional cable provider for North and South Dakota. The company was one of several organizations and persons to donate money to Augustana University for the purpose of founding its ice hockey program.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Renderings of Midco Arena Released to Public for First Time" (Press release). Augustana Vikings. February 21, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ "Augustana officially announces men's Division I hockey program, new rink with groundbreaking ceremony". USCHO.com. October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ "Augustana officially announces Division I hockey program, to play in Midco Arena starting in 2023-24". Argus Leader. October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ Hockey, Lets Play (2024-01-31). "Augustana University's Midco Arena Celebrates Grand Opening". Lets Play Hockey. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ "Augustana University becomes home to hockey with groundbreaking for $40M Midco Arena". Sioux Falls Business. October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.