If all goes according to plan, construction would start next fall.

EAST LANSING - Improvements to Michigan State University's Munn Ice Arena may be on the horizon after all.

MSU's Board of Trustees gave officials the go-ahead to begin planning for a $14 to $16 million expansion of the home of Spartan Hockey. Upgrades to Munn were previously put on hold due to a lack of donations.

"We want to tie the completion of our fundraising with the completion of planning," said Greg Ianni, deputy athletic director.

The improvements will include a new public entrance on the south side of the building as well as expanding and relocating the hockey operations and coaching offices from the basement to the first floor.

"The building does not have an appropriate presence for a facility that hosts 6,800 guests," according to documents provided to trustees.

Opened in 1974, Munn most recently received $6.5 million in upgrades in 2014, including installation of a new HVAC system, ice sheet boards and glass for the rink and sound system.

If all goes according to plan, construction would begin next fall and wrap up in time for the 2020-21 hockey season, Ianni said. The team would still be able to play during construction, he said.

Contact RJ Wolcott at (517) 377-1026 or rwolcott@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @wolcottr.

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