A Montgomery, Alabama couple pledged $1 million toward the new Auburn Arena in honor of their daughters, Kim McGregor Brown and Cindy McGregor Benefield.

Construction on the $92.5 million arena will begin this summer. The facility will have a capacity of 9,600 and will include a two-court practice facility for the men’s and women’s basketball programs, coaches’ offices, the Auburn University Ticket Office and an Auburn Team Store.

The arena will also house the relocated Lovelace Museum chronicling the history of Auburn athletics, two food courts and other amenities.

Milton and Pat McGregor said they wanted to honor their daughters with a lasting gift to Auburn athletics.

"We feel fortunate to be able to honor Kim and Cindy in such a special way," Milton 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."

Athletics Director Jay Jacobs said the gift was a boost for the project.

"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," 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."