Alabama Huntsville looking to expand campus, get new home for hockey team

The Von Braun Center is located roughly four miles from the Alabama Huntsville campus (photo: vonbrauncenter.com)
The Von Braun Center is located roughly four miles from the Alabama Huntsville campus (photo: vonbrauncenter.com).
According to AL.com, Alabama Huntsville may be getting a new arena.On Friday, the school announced plans for campus expansion that would include a new multi-purpose facility to provide a home to the school’s hockey and basketball teams.Back in 2017, UAH purchased 58 acres west of Sparkman Drive for $7.1 million. The property includes an abandoned office park that would shift the focus of the campus, according to the master plan presented to the UA System Board of Trustees by retiring president Robert Altenkirch.The project would be paid for primarily by private developers, Altenkirch said. The multi-use facility could be funded through a public-private partnership, he added.The hockey team currently plays its home games at Von Braun Center, located about four miles from campus in downtown Huntsville.Altenkirch said he discussed the proposed development with incoming president Darren Dawson.“Darren’s reaction was, and I quote, ‘The concept looks fantastic, especially the multi-use facility,’” Altenkirch said.