SOUTH ST. PAUL — Momentum is building to rename a South St. Paul ice rink after a former Minnesota Gophers hockey star.

The city’s parks and recreation advisory commission has recommended to the city council to change the name of Wakota Arena the Doug Woog Arena.

The 72-year-old former South St. Paul Packers and Gophers hockey star lives in South St. Paul.

A longtime fan of Woog’s started an online petition to change the name and gained nearly 1,200 signatures.

Dale Schenian, a prominent South St. Paul businessman, has offered to pay about $31,000 to change the name on the arena’s signs and other costs.

The city council is expected to consider the change next month after a public hearing.