Voicing its support of a $250,000 university donation through segregated fees to renovate Hobbs Ice Arena, Student Senate passed a bill Monday night 24-0-5.

The arena, located at 915 Menomonie St., is home to the Blugold Men’s and Women’s Hockey teams, Eau Claire’s Memorial and North High School Hockey teams, the Eau Claire Figure Skating Club and Youth Hockey Association, according to the bill.

While it serves more than 250,000 visitors annually and often fills to capacity, it is too small to host NCHA events, and it is not an adequate facility, Finance Commission director Tom Holtan said.

The UW-Eau Claire Foundation agreed to match the university’s donation up to $250,000, and the students’ contribution, through segregated fees, wouldn’t increase segregated fees more than fifty cents for two years and a dollar for four years, according to the bill.

Vice Chancellor Andy Soll said the total cost of the project is about $6 million, $2 million of which will be raised from donors.

“I think this is a great way to use the money we get from students,” Academic Affairs Commission director Aaron Wingad said.

The expansion would include men’s and women’s locker rooms, offices, a training room, weight room, entrance area and additional seating, according to the bill. The university’s name and emblem would also be promoted throughout the renovation.

Senate also discussed a proposed bill requiring Executive Board attendance at United Council of UW-Students events.

By only one vote the bill failed 13-7-9, as members discussed whether it is fair and reasonable.

“Every single one of us here is on Senate to represent students at the UW-Eau Claire system . and I just strongly feel that there’s information at every single one of these meetings that could benefit us,” author of the bill Sen. Caroline Wee said. “I understand the inconvenience for people, but I think in the long run people would see how beneficial it was.”

United Council is an organization representing student issues at the system, state and national level.

Vice President Meghan Charlier said while she thinks Senate should be informed on United Council and perhaps senators should attend as well, but questioned the method of achieving this.

“I’m not sure how I feel about it being required as a whole. It makes it appealing that we get more people involved, but I’m not sure if this is the right way to go about it,” she said.