[1] With men's ice hockey slated to become a varsity sport at Western in 1973, the university needed to provide a suitable arena for the team.

Prior to the arena and varsity status, the team would play their club games at an outdoor ice rink in Kalamazoo near the Crosstown Parkway.

[2] On November 15, 1974, Lawson Ice Arena opened its doors for the first time as the Broncos faced off against the Thunderbirds of Algoma University.

[5] The arena's record attendance was set on Halloween (October 31), 1987, when a standing-room crowd of 5,168 watched the Broncos take on then CCHA rival, Michigan State.

[citation needed] In 2013, with rumors of a new ice arena swirling, Western Michigan athletic director Kathy Beauregard stated that Lawson will be the home of the Bronco's hockey team for the foreseeable future.

In January 2024, Bill Johnston of the wealth management firm Greenleaf Trust announced that a new event center in downtown Kalamazoo was scheduled to break ground by the end of the year.

[7] The complex will feature an ice sheet, two basketball courts, a community space, two parking decks, and a multi-use event hall.

Besides hockey, skating, and basketball, Lawson has hosted other events such as ice shows, professional boxing matches, and concerts.

Within the complex and adjacent to the Lawson Ice Arena is the Gabel Natatorium, which contains an olympic sized swimming pool and diving tank.

[17] The Western Michigan Broncos football team utilizes the pool for recovery workouts, rehabilitation, and outreach events.