Michigan regents to consider $14 million Yost Ice Arena improvement plan

By Jim Knight AnnArbor.com Sports Director

Posted on Mon, Jun 13, 2011 : 3 p.m.

The Michigan athletic department wants to conduct a $14 million renovation to Yost Ice Arena.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

Improved concourses, new seating and new loge boxes for fans at Yost Ice Arena are among the improvements in a $14 million plan the University of Michigan Board of Regents will consider for approval when it meets Thursday.

The request for approval and authorization to hire an architect was submitted by athletic director Dave Brandon and university chief financial officer Tim Slottow. In it, they say the project cost, which also includes moving the current press box to a new location and upgrading the fire alarm system, will be covered with athletic department funds.

Yost was built in 1923 and has served as home for the Michigan hockey team since 1973. The 6,637-seat arena was renovated in 2001 to add a club-level balcony on the east side. In 1996, a $5.5 million renovation remodeled seating, locker rooms and administrative offices.

Construction is currently under way at Yost for the addition of a center-hung scoreboard system that includes nine LED video displays.

The Michigan hockey team's official Twitter account posted a photo of that work earlier today.