Construction began in March 1997, and the original deadline was December 1998. However, this deadline was progressively postponed, and the building did not open until June 25, 2003.
Since a good part of the construction was financed by students of the nearby Colégio Marista Dom Silvério, Marista Hall is a target of jokes and dissatisfaction, because thousands of students paid for it but never benefited from it, having left school before construction was completed.
The arena has a seating capacity of 3,700 people, and the sports facilities conform to official international rules. Dom Silvério Theater has a capacity of 400 people.