Minnesota Wild Time Line page 18

[June 16, 1998] -- The National Hockey League's (NHL) Minnesota Wild unveiled their arena design plans for the New Saint Paul Arena at a press conference today at the Minnesota Club in downtown Saint Paul. The principal individuals of the arena project team include: Minnesota Wild CEO Jac Sperling, Wild Arena Project Director Ray Chandler, HOK Sport Design Principal Chris Carver, City of Saint Paul Council President Daniel B. Bostrom, RiverCentre Authority Chairman Richard Zehring, City of Saint Paul Director of Planning and Economic DevelopmentPamela Wheelock, and City of Saint Paul Special Projects - Program Administrator Department of Planning and Economic Development Jim O'Leary. Wild CEO Jac Sperling and the other members of the arena project team revealed the exterior and interior design plans for the new, multi-purpose arena.

Here is a view of the exterior of the New Saint Paul Arena:

At the press conference, the Minnesota Wild revealed a number of the New Saint Paul Arena design features. Highlights included:

· 18,600 seat arena with a transparent glass exterior.
· Four convenient atrium entrances at street level.
· Wide concourses.
· Open concourses.
· Large lower seating bowl with 9,000 seats.
· Upper deck with opera style seating at the ends offering great hockey sightlines.
· Unique club seating concourse and 74 suites.
· Arena lighting to accentuate the Saint Paul skyline.

Here is an interior view from one corner of the New Saint Paul Arena:

Here is an interior view from the opposite corner of the New Saint Paul Arena

In conjunction with the arena design, the Minnesota Wild will host a Historic New Arena Groundbreaking Ceremony on Tuesday, June 23rd at 11:30 a.m. on 7th Street (between 5th Street and Kellogg Boulevard) in front of the old Saint Paul Civic Center. The Minnesota Wild will showcase several special VIP guests for the fun-filled ceremony including: Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson, Saint Paul Mayor Norm Coleman, Wild lead investor Bob Naegele, Jr. and a special participant from the NHL. The New Arena Groundbreaking Ceremony is free and open to the public. The Minnesota Wild invite you to join us on this historic day.

The ceremony will be followed by a public picnic in Rice Park (Washington Street and 5th Street). Lunch will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, while supplies last. The picnic is presented by the Wild in conjunction with Subway Sandwich and Salad Shops, Pearson Candy Company, Bakers Square, O'Doul's and Coca-Cola.