New arena donation: $1 million

This from Auburn's athletics media relations department today:

AUBURN—Milton and Pat McGregor of Montgomery recently pledged $1 million toward the new Auburn Arena.

The McGregors pledged the gift in honor of their daughters, Kim McGregor Brown and Cindy McGregor Benefield.

“I want to thank Milton and Pat McGregor for their extraordinarily generous gift, which propels us toward our goal of building a world-class arena for Auburn University,” Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs said. “This is a tremendous step forward for the arena, which will take Auburn’s men’s and women’s basketball programs to a new level.”

Milton McGregor said he and his wife wanted to make a lasting gift to Auburn Athletics that will honor their daughters.

“We feel fortunate to be able to honor Kim and Cindy in such a special way,” McGregor said. “We also believe strongly in the Auburn Arena project, which will provide a major boost for the Auburn basketball programs and will benefit Auburn University and the community at large.”

Construction is expected to begin on the $92.5 million arena this summer. It will have an approximate capacity of 9,600 and will include a two-court practice facility, coaches’ offices, the Auburn University Ticket Office and an AU Team Store. It will also include the relocated Lovelace Museum honoring the history of Auburn Athletics, two food courts and many other amenities.

Designed by 360 Architecture out of Kansas City, Mo., the 243,000-plus-square-foot facility will be built northwest of Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum on Roosevelt Drive.