April Athletics Construction Roundup

The Athletics Construction Roundup is a monthly series on construction of athletics facilities. Each month I’ll provide you with a list of athletic construction projects in progress (and recently completed) across the country, including details on budget and scope of the project.

University of Houston:
Work continues on Houston’s new stadium which will open in 2014. The official site of the project includes two live webcams of the construction.

Jacksonville University:
Ground was broken late last month on new softball facilities, including offices and a hitting facility. It will be the first athletics project that is a part of the university’s $85 million ASPIRE campaign.

Oakland University:
Oakland has announced a $65 million campus construction plan that includes $7.8 million for athletics projects. Plans include a tennis complex, a track and field complex, and recreational space.

University of Tampa:
Division II Tampa dedicated a lacrosse stadium with room for 2,000 spectators.

University of Texas-Arlington:
UTA has announced additional softball construction projects. In February the Mavs opened an indoor hitting facility.

University of Southern Mississippi:
Southern Miss is replacing the turf at its football stadium a year earlier than expected due to debris from a tornado earlier this year.

University of Maine:
$15 million renovations have begun on Maine’s Field House. Following a $2 million gift, the facility will be renamed The New Balance Field House.

University of Arkansas:
The Razorbacks’ 80,000 square foot football facility will be named for donor Fred W. Smith.

Purdue University:
Purdue will construct a $13 million softball stadium, set to open in 2015. It is the final piece of the Mackey Complex master plan.

University of California:
Cal has announced a $15 million aquatic center. Unlike the current pool, the new facility will be exclusively for athletics.

University of Nebraska:
Nebraska has seen a 49% increase in season ticket sales. It will open Pinnacle Bank Arena next season. The Huskers have also released the new court design for the facility.

Florida International University:
As mentioned in last month’s roundup, FIU has gone through with its unique basketball court design.

Eastern University:
Eastern has unveiled its indoor golf facility. The space includes lockers and digital simulators.

University of Tennessee- Martin:
UT Martin has announced a football stadium plan that includes rebuilding the west grandstand. The changes, which must be approved by the Board of Trustees, should allow UTM to host football playoff games.

University of Richmond:
Work has started on the $17 million first phase of renovations for the Richards Center.

Lawrence University:
DIII Lawrence has announced a five million dollar renovation of the Banta Bowl, a multi-use outdoor facility.

University of Oklahoma:
OU has broken ground on a six and half million dollar training facility for rowing.

Amherst College:
DIII Amherst will spend $12.5 million to renovate Pratt Field, considered the oldest college athletic field in the country.

University of Arizona:
Athletic Director Greg Byrne took media members of a tour of the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility. The soon to be completed facility and stadium expansion comes at a cost of $72 million.

University of Hawaii:
Athletic Director Ben Jay is taking facility repairs upon himself. He is tweeting out his actions in an attempt to catch the attention of university leadership.

Samford University:
After playing many games on the road and practicing at high schools, Samford has opened its new softball stadium.

Texas Christian University:
Following a $10 million donation, plans were approved for a $45 million renovation of Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. The project will not begin until all funds are raised.

University of Kansas:
Ground has been broken on Rock Chalk Park. The multi-use sports park will include stadiums for track, softball, and soccer. The project comes with a $39 million price tag.

Louisiana State University:
LSU will name the field at Alex Box Stadium after former coach and athletic director Skip Bertman. Only the field will be renamed, the baseball facility’s name will remain Alex Box Stadium.

LSU is also completing its Sport Event Security Aware certification through the University of Southern Mississippi. It will be the 10th school and fourth in the SEC to do so.

Ball State University:
Ball State has unveiled a $20 million fundraising campaign which will result in numerous athletic construction projects. Over $12 million has been raised to date.

Auburn University:
The historic oaks at Toomer’s Corner have been removed. The symbolic final roll after the spring game resulted in this incredible scene.

Troy University:
Troy has released artist renderings for a $25 million north end zone expansion of Veterans Memorial Stadium. The project will include several suites and team areas.

University of Iowa:
The Board of Regents has approved a nine million dollar plan that includes a new scoreboard and sound system at Kinnick Stadium.

In case you missed it- Construction projects previously mentioned on this site:

University of Connecticut:
UConn is adding 2,000 seats for its home football against Michigan.

University of Kentucky:
Kentucky has announced a renovation of Commonwealth Stadium. The $110 million project includes several suites.

University of California:
Cal hosted its first night baseball game.

University of Indiana:
Indiana unveiled its new baseball stadium which features a field without dirt.

Florida Atlantic University:
The naming right gift for FAU’s football stadium was withdrawn.