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Last Updated on April 6, 2023
The “College Athletics Construction Roundup” is a monthly series on the construction of intercollegiate athletics facilities. We’ll provide a bi-weekly list of announced, in progress, and recently completed athletic construction projects nationwide. You can view previous editions of the “College Athletics Construction Roundup” here.
Hat tip to D1 Ticker as a resource we pulled from for this roundup.
Multi-use Facility
Pitt will meet with the City Planning Commission next Tuesday to discuss its $240 million facility plans. If all goes according to plan, members will vote on the proposed complex on April 4. Pitt hopes to start construction in May or June, with completion set for November 2025.
The University of St. Thomas has raised another $12 million for the Anderson Arena project, for which they received a $75 million gift earlier this year. A fall opening is scheduled for the arena, provided fundraising is completed.
Rider University Athletic Director Don Harnum says the Broncs need $2.5 million more to reach their $18.2 million Rider Arena Project goal. So far, Alumni Gym has focused on improving the experience of student-athletes and coaches, and Harnum notes that this final phase will focus more on the public.
Oklahoma State unveils its $325 million Athletics Vision Plan, including an indoor track, a new basketball training center, a football operations center, a new wrestling training facility, a softball stadium and upgrades to Karsten Creek Golf Course and Pedigo-Hull Equestrian Center are included in the plan. In addition, OSU has converted Boone Pickens Stadium and Gallagher-Iba Arena into academic centers, mental health centers and career development spaces for student-athletes.
Eastern Washington has already received a $100,000 donation for the Gatorade Fuel Station project, which is expected to cost $150,000 for the build plus monthly food expenses.
Swimming
Tulane Renovations at Tulane’s Reily Natatorium includes a new pool, pool deck, diving platforms, Myrtha liners, air filtration systems, revamped locker rooms and movable bulkheads for SCY, SCM, and LCM training. The facility is expected to be ready by the beginning of the fall.
Baseball
Georgetown has received a $4.8 million challenge gift through the Georgetown Baseball Campaign to support baseball coaching, scholarship, and facilities. The challenge gift encourages other supporters to donate to the campaign by raising $5.1 million. Hoyas Athletic Director Lee Reed expressed his support by stating, “Scholarships are such an important part of building a winning culture within a program, and this will allow us to continue to grow Georgetown baseball, moving into the upper echelons within the national baseball landscape.”
Rider University Athletic Director Don Harnum says the Broncos need $2.5 million more to reach their $18.2M Rider Arena Project goal. So far, Alumni Gym has focused on improving the experience of student-athletes and coaches, and Harnum notes that this final phase will focus more on the public.
Presbyterian College Earlier this week, Presbyterian College dedicated its new baseball and softball facilities. The $8 million Championship Spirit capital campaign enabled both teams to build new fieldhouses, press boxes and concession areas.
Track and Field
UMass Indoor Performance Center Project has been funded with a $2 million gift from alumni John Legere, Glenn Lyle, Mike Morris, Lou Panaccione, Michael Quinn, Matt Wolff and Tom Wolff. Among the features of the renovated facility will be a grand lobby and entrance area, a lower practice area covered with a track-specific surface, a sprint straightaway and jumping and throwing events. In addition, a practice track and non-impact training space will be located on the second level.
Football
Houston Athletic Director Chris Pezman joined Playfly’s On The Fly podcast to talk about the transition to the Big 12. As for facilities, Pezman said it was crucial to “do something dramatic to have a catalyst to move forward, so we moved football back on campus.” In addition, he says the construction of TDECU Stadium galvanized alum support by demonstrating the Cougars’ commitment. Further, Houston has named former Virginia Assoc. AD for Facilities and Operations Jason Bauman as Assoc. Athletics Director for Facility and Event Management Operations.
TCU Intercollegiate Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati announced a $10 million lead gift from the Jane & John Justin Foundation to renovate the Bob Lilly Performance Center, build a new Football Performance Center and construct a Restoration and Wellness Center.
UCF Mission XII, now called the Sharon & Marc Hagle Gateway, features a new rendering of the football campus. The complex’s facilities include a new football locker room, weight room, training room, and coaches offices. Despite the Knights’ significant budget surplus, Athletic Director Terry Mohajir notes that the figures leave out certain expenses and debt related to COVID. For the Knights’ first year in the Big 12, the operating budget is projected to increase from $72 million to roughly $90 million, versus an average of $110 million for the six incumbent public schools.
UTRGV releases renderings of its $45 million Vaqueros Performance Center, which will house the Football program and be used for multiple sports once it is finished north of UTRGV Baseball Stadium. The facility is expected to be completed in the fall of 2025.
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