In 2021, Augustana University made a historic decision to expand its athletic program with Division I Men’s Hockey – a first in the State of South Dakota. When creating the program from the ground up, several pieces needed to fall into place quickly, including hiring coaching staff, securing conference affiliation, and erecting a new home barn. With a design led by JLG, Midco Arena introduced fans and athletes to a state-of-the-art hockey facility housing 3,100 seats, 12 private suites, center-ice club hospitality space, and the Skol Shop, a team store for Vikings athletic apparel. Beyond hockey, Midco Arena is a multi-use hub for Augustana Athletics, including a new athletic administration and coaching office suite, athletic department strength & conditioning center, sports medicine facility, and an equitably designed team suite for Women’s Soccer. Midco Arena bridges campus administration and athletic boundaries, bringing a main entry and external event plaza that provides pre- and post-game event space for campus and community. Located at the heart of campus, Midco Arena is an impressive gateway to the University, elevating the fan experience alongside athletic performance, nutrition, and overall well-being.
“One of the most unique opportunities in designing Midco Arena, is the way in which it aligned with the creation of a brand-new DI program,” said Davidson. “Starting from scratch, and not having a coaching staff to work with at the beginning, our priority was to help educate university staff who didn’t necessarily have a background in hockey facilities. To create the DI collegiate experience, we kicked it off by leveraging our team’s hockey experience, balancing it with authentic qualities unique to AU, then rightsizing every aspect for their program.”
Joining the Vikings at the half-way mark of the Arena’s design, the program’s first head coach, Garrett Raboin, worked alongside JLG in completing the vision of the Men’s Hockey team suite. Customized locker rooms with ventilated locker stalls, a lounge space with fueling station and dining amenities, and training features, such as a puck shooting room, were priorities of Coach Raboin in elevating players’ performance, nutrition, and overall well-being. “It’s just exciting that we’re finally home,” added Coach Raboin, when taking to the ice for the first time this week.
Collegiate field house design reminiscent of generations past provided inspiration in the development of the Arena’s identity. Using masonry to relate back to campus architecture, celebration of day-lit opportunities, and a distinctive barrel-vaulted form all contributed to an authentic presence on campus. “With an open concourse design and an extroverted presence, fans step into the Arena and are instantly immersed in the action on the ice,” said Davidson. “The outcome is a fantastic gateway to campus and intimate sporting experience, helping to build a new Vikings tradition for AU and the community of Sioux Falls.”
