The designs for the US$79m (£53m, 62.2m euro) expansion of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) Arena in Duluth, Minnesota, US, have been unveiled.

The project is a joint venture between the arena and the University of Minnesota, whose men’s and women’s ice hockey teams play at the venue.

Designed by Kansas City-based HOK Sport and Duluth-based SJA Architects, the arena will see its capacity grow from 5,100 to 6,600.

There will also be a new skywalk, private suites, extensions to the locker rooms and training spaces and an expansion of the existing car park – construction of the latter began in October this year.

Jim Swords, principal architect at HOK Sport, said: “When we set out to design the new arena, we took into consideration everything that was great and right about the current DECC.

“The new arena will allow University of Minnesota Duluth hockey and regional commerce to thrive, all while providing a dynamic gathering space for fans.

Mortenson Construction will begin work on the project in April next year, and it is expected to be completed by 2011.