St. Cloud, MN - Today, State Representative Dan Wolgamott (DFL - St. Cloud) welcomed Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Erin Campbell to St. Cloud to advocate for investment in the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center at St. Cloud State University.
The Herb Brooks National Hockey Center has served the community for over 30 years, hosting the St. Cloud State University Huskies ice hockey teams and the Saint John’s University Johnnies ice hockey team. As the facility still uses the outdated R-22 refrigerant, a cleaner, greener replacement is needed. Additional updates needed for the center include the replacement of dasher boards and shielding to improve player safety, and a reconfiguring of the practice rink to NHL size. The requested amount of investment totals $12 million.
“After 30 years of service, the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center refrigeration system is outdated and operating on thin ice,” said Rep. Wolgamott. “We can’t risk the refrigeration system dying and bringing hockey programs and community functions to a screeching halt. I’m advocating for these necessary investments so we can ensure this key facility remains a local icon for generations to come.”
In addition to today’s visit from Commissioner Campbell, Rep. Wolgamott previously welcomed his fellow members of the House Capital Investment Committee to St. Cloud in September to advocate for other local projects, including a $100 million investment for revitalizing St. Cloud’s downtown, aimed at addressing shortcomings in the housing supply, parking, greenspace, walkability, and riverfront access. Another project proposal is the $12.9 million for CentraCare’s medical school campus, which, in partnership with the University of Minnesota, would construct this new facility.
During the 2023 legislative session, Rep. Wolgamott successfully championed capital investment legislation that delivered $7 million for renovations to the Great River Children’s Museum, $3.9 million to the City of St. Cloud for updates to the regional airport, and $5 million to cover design for the CentraCare Health System Campus.
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