JAMESTOWN, N.D. (UJ) – Dacotah Bank in Jamestown recently pledged a major donation to the University of Jamestown’s Opening Doors/Transforming Lives capital campaign. The school’s drive was to fund construction of the new Harold Newman Arena on campus.

Dedication of the new arena is scheduled for Friday, September 29.

Named after the local Jamestown businessman and his philanthropic family, the Harold Newman Arena is a $15 million, 61,000 square foot project at UJ. The complex has a full-sized basketball court, eight locker rooms, large booster room overlooking the court, training facility, two small lounges, large laundry room, two concession areas, ticket box office, and a retail store.

The arena will seat about 2,000 fans and feature a large foyer to host up to 300 guests for community events.

Casey Henderson, Dacotah Bank’s Jamestown market president, says the $55,000 pledge demonstrates the company lives up to its slogan of being ‘here for you.’ “Our management team knows the value of a community’s vitality. This addition to the local campus represents more than an investment in athletics; it’s an investment in the local economy and culture – key elements for a successful and growing community like Jamestown.”

Dr. Robert Badal, president of the University of Jamestown, stated on an invitation to the dedication that “without the support of donors such as you, we would not be opening this new facility for current and future Jimmies.”

Dacotah Bank opened a new branch in Jamestown in 2014 near Walmart.