Lee & Penny Anderson Arena Awarded LEED Silver

Designed to elevate both the student-athlete and fan experience, the approximately 250,000-square-foot arena combines premier competition and training spaces with a thoughtful approach to sustainability. The facility incorporates high-performance building systems, water-efficient fixtures, responsible material selection, and enhanced energy commissioning to reduce its environmental impact while supporting long-term operational performance. Additional strategies—including construction waste diversion, low-emitting materials, and innovative stormwater management—contributed to the achievement of LEED Silver certification.

Crawford Architects is proud to have served as the Sports Design Architect for this transformational project, collaborating with the University of St. Thomas, Ryan Companies, and the broader design team to create a venue that reflects the university’s vision for the future of Division I athletics. The arena not only provides a premier home for competition and campus events, but also demonstrates how sustainable design can enhance performance, improve operational efficiency, and create lasting value for generations of Tommie student-athletes, fans, and the surrounding community.

As the fifth LEED-certified building on the university’s St. Paul campus, Lee & Penny Anderson Arena reinforces St. Thomas’ continued investment in sustainable campus development and stands as an example of how innovative sports architecture can successfully balance performance, experience, and environmental responsibility.