Last Updated on September 4, 2021
The “College Athletics Construction Roundup” is a monthly series on the construction of intercollegiate athletics facilities. Each month we’ll provide a list of announced, in progress and recently completed athletic construction projects from around the country. You can view previous editions of the “College Athletics Construction Roundup” here.
Master Plan
Ball State raised more than $20 million for use towards six projects benefiting nine teams. Upgrades and renovations will or have taken place at the following facilities: Ronald E. and Joan M. Venderly Football Team Complex, Worthen Arena, Ball Diamond and the golf practice facility at Delaware Country Club.
William & Mary released a report outlining what will be needed for future success of its athletic programs. Among the $125 million worth of facility needs are a new multi-sport indoor facility and the renovation or replacement of both the swimming facility and William & Mary Hall.
Sam Houston State will install new scoreboards in three facilities: Bowers Stadium, Johnson Coliseum and Bearkat Softball Complex. The Bowers Stadium LED scoreboard is expected to be the largest in FCS. All work should be completed in time for the 2015-2016 seasons.
Miami (OH) announced an $80 million capital campaign aimed at athletic facilities and increased scholarship support. $49 million has been raised to date, resulting in the completion of several facility projects.
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Football
Colorado celebrated the topping-off ceremony for the Champions Center at Folsom Field. The $181 million project is expected to be completed in January 2016.
Buffalo announced for the West Club at UB Stadium. The $900,000 renovation will feature both indoor and outdoor loge seating, enclosed club concourse, private elevator, parking and personalized seating. The project is expected to be completed in time for the 2015 season.
Georgia State will construct a new football strength and conditioning facility. The new 7,000 square-foot building will be adjacent to the practice facility and should be completed by the start of fall practice.
Utah State renamed the football venue Maverik Stadium to coincide with a new, long-standing corporate partnership. Announced renovations to the stadium include a new press box and premium seating area, expected to hold 24 suites and 24 loge boxes.
Purdue is working on plans to renovate Ross-Ade Stadium’s South End Zone and the Mollenkopf Athletic Center. Team locker room facilities, coach offices, weight room and training space will be the main focus of the renovations.
Wyoming will spend $44 million to renovate the Rochelle Athletics Center, tripling the square footage of the current facility. While the focus is on the football program the project features the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center and an academic center that will benefit all student athletes.
Bluffton will spend $750,000 to install a new artificial turf at Saltzman Stadium. In addition the track surrounding Alumni Field will be resurfaced. Work is expected to be completed in time for the 2015 season.
Oregon State will spend $42 million to expand the Valley Football Center. The project will almost double the size of the facility by adding square footage to the locker room, equipment room, and athletic training facility.
Middle Tennessee State began work on a $550,000 upgrade to its weight room. The renovation includes new equipment, flooring, paint and graphics, sound system and nutrition bar. The work is expected to be completed by the beginning of June 2015.
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Basketball
Oakland unveiled its new ‘blacktop’ basketball court. The design is aimed at attracting recruits and television audiences who will associate the court with Oakland the same way Boise State is associated with its football turf. Rumor has it the NCAA turned down chain nets.
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Olympic / Other Sports
Texas announced plans for a new 12-court tennis facility to be located adjacent to UFCU Dish-Falk Field, across I-35 from the main campus. The school’s tennis programs have been displaced as part of the Dell Medical School construction. The project is part of the more comprehensive $166 million East Campus project which includes the tennis facility, graduate student housing and a parking garage.
West Virginia opened its new Monongalia County Ballpark. The opening had been delayed due to winter weather lasting later than expected.
Saint Mary’s College broke ground on a new $25 million facilities project. The effort will include new soccer and lacrosse fields and a renovation to the softball field. The soccer and lacrosse programs will get their own facilities, having previously shared space.
Indiana State dedicated the new Gibson Track and Field complex. The $4 facility includes 9 lanes, two high jump areas, four vaulting runway locations and throwing areas.
Washington College opened the renovated and expanded Eugene B. Casey Swim Center. The project added team-specific locker rooms while renovating the front lobby and office areas.
Louisiana-Monroe opened the new James Mock Hitting Facility. The covered 7,500 square-foot facility features five hitting cages and two pitching mounds.
Louisiana-Lafayette approved a $10 million project to renovate M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field. The plan calls for the existing stadium and press box to be removed in lieu of a new state of the art facility. If work cannot be completed in one offseason, the project will be stretched over two offseasons for completion.
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Academic & Multi-Use Facilities
New Hampshire opened the new Watkins Center for Student-Athlete Excellence. The $1.9 million center is located in the UNH Field House is designed to support all student athletes.
Seton Hall opened new weight and film rooms. The weight room features 7,525 square-feet of space, tripling the size of the previous facility. The film room features 36 custom leather seats in an amphitheater-style arrangement.
The University of Charleston began construction on the $16.5 million Russell and Martha Wehrle Innovation Center. The 32,000 square-foot addition to the gym will contain locker rooms, athletic offices and will serve as an innovation hub for the university’s students.
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Other Notes of Interest
With the $181 million renovations in and around Folsom Field, Colorado is looking for opportunities to monetize its new space. The athletic department is exploring how it can grow from the 150 non-game-day events it hosted last year in its facilities.
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