Thunder Ice Arena Gets Funding Boost
The youth hockey program will be housed in the Thunder Ice Arena
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowFunding for construction of the Thunder Ice Arena at Trine University in Angola has received a major boost. Fort Wayne-based Steel Dynamics Inc. (Nasdaq: STLD) has made a $1.25 million gift toward the project, which is expected to be complete in the fall of 2017.
The university says, as a result of the gift, it will officially name the ice surface the Thunder Steel Dynamics Ice Rink and will include the company’s logo on center ice. Trine announced plans for the now $8.2 million arena, which will be the home of the university’s men’s and women’s hockey teams, in April.
"We continue to be grateful for the ongoing generosity of Steel Dynamics and all those who have chosen to invest in the quality education and atmosphere that Trine University provides," said Trine President Earl Brooks. "Steel Dynamics has been a longtime partner and benefactor, providing leadership on our board of trustees, establishing the Trine University/Steel Dynamics Scholars four-year scholarship program and offering internship, co-op and job opportunities to our students."
The Thunder Ice Arena will also host club and youth hockey programs for the Steuben County YMCA and local school corporations and will have designated public skating as well. The facility is being constructed along with the university’s new MTI Center.
"As both our birthplace and headquarters, northeast Indiana is an integral part of Steel Dynamics and we are proud to support projects like the Thunder Ice Arena that improve the quality of place and quality of life for the region," said Mark Millett, chief executive officer of Steel Dynamics. "We look forward to the recreational opportunities this project will bring, as well as the economic boost it will provide to the area and the excitement it will add to Trine University athletics."
Both the arena and the MTI Center were named recipients of Regional Cities Initiative funding in August.