BGSU commits $2.5 million to ice arena renovations

BOWLING GREEN, O. – Bowling Green State University President Carol Cartwright announced today that the University will commit $2.5 million in capital improvement funds toward the renovation of its ice arena.

An additional $1.5 million in funding from the state of Ohio was secured by state Rep. Randy Gardner and state Sen. Mark Wagoner for the project.

According to Cartwright, the University accepted the state funds recognizing that a University contribution would be necessary. “These funds are clearly needed to keep the facility viable. That is important for the Bowling Green community and the University,” Cartwright said.

In June, the University announced it had engaged Bentz Whaley Flessner, a national fund-raising consulting firm, to assess the potential of a fund-raising campaign for the ice arena renovations and scholarship endowments for the BGSU hockey program. The study is expected to be completed by the end of August.

Cartwright added that she hopes the University’s commitment will jumpstart the campaign. “I believe this is an important show of good faith,” Cartwright said. “I am confident that the funds necessary to ensure the future of the arena and BGSU hockey can be raised. I want to make it very clear that we want this effort to succeed.”

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(Posted July 30, 2009 )