The University of St. Thomas is constructing a new Division I arena on campus for basketball and hockey, but this has led to concerns among some residents in the area regarding issues such as parking, traffic, and potential environmental impacts. Protests have been held, with “Just Say No” signs placed in yards and one group of residents even appealing the site plan approval with the City of St. Paul. This has resulted in a pause in construction until the matter is resolved.
One group of residents has taken their concerns a step further by appealing the site plan approval with the City of St. Paul, resulting in a pause in construction until the matter is resolved. Despite opposition from some residents, the University of St. Thomas intends to move forward with their plans and open the new arena in the fall of 2025. The goal is to have a facility that can accommodate basketball and hockey games at the Division I level, providing a space for both students and athletes to enjoy. While there are challenges to address, such as parking and traffic concerns, as well as potential environmental impacts, Don Waage, spokesperson for Advocates for Responsible Development stated that they would prefer if the university could find another site for