College Athletics Construction Roundup: October 2014

Congrats to former “College Athletics Construction Roundup” writer Luke Mashburn on joining the staff at Sam Houston State.  I’ll be taking over from him and providing the facility updates moving forward.

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.

FOOTBALL

Early fundraising success has led Arizona State to amend the Sun Devil Stadium renovation plan budget to $256 million. The amended plan includes an 84,500 square foot student-athletic building.

Texas A&M will spend $300,000 to replace the turf at Kyle Field after a downpour dislodged some of turf during the previous home game against Rice. Work will be completed before the Aggies’ next home game on October 11.

One of just two SEC programs without an indoor practice facility, Georgia has authorized $400,000 to an architectural firm to design and find a location for a new structure.

Florida A&M debuted its new club seating with capacity of up to 800 people. The six climate-controlled tents offer a buffet, open bar and television viewing.

Expansion of Navy’s Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium has entered Phase IV, adding 7,000 square feet of hospitality space on either side of the television booth.

Boston College unveiled LED ribbon displays and two video boards using 13HD technology in Alumni Stadium.

Wake Forest broke ground on a new field house featuring a 120-yard artificial turf field. While a football facility, all of Wake’s athletic teams will be able to use the facility.

Marshall dedicated its new $14 million practice facility. The 105,000 square foot facility should be completely open in the next eight months.

Duke announced plans for a renovated Wallace Wade Stadium. Upgrades include 21 luxury suites and a new LED video board.

Montana unveiled new LED ribbon boards at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

BASKETBALL

Florida Gulf Coast University presented plans for a $6 million upgrade to Alico Arena. Targeted enhancements include a modern video scoreboard, dedicated athletes’ weight room and expanded coaches’ offices.

The University of Houston has begun construction on a $25 million basketball practice facility. The 53,000 square foot facility will be the headquarters for both the men’s and women’s programs. 

OLYMPIC / OTHER SPORTS

Michigan regents approved a $168 million plan for a 310,000 square foot Division I Olympic sports facility. An indoor and outdoor track venue and new lacrosse stadium will be included in the 17-acre complex.

West Virginia’s $21 million, 2,500 seat baseball stadium is on track to be completed for the 2015 baseball season.

MULTI-USE FACILITIES

Ohio University announced plans for a new academic center to be built on the north end zone of Peden Stadium. The center will be for the exclusive use of OU’s 400 student athletes.

Georgetown broke ground on the $62 million John R. Thompson Intercollegiate Athletics Center. In addition to practice courts, the new facility will have weight training, sports medicine rooms and meeting rooms for all varsity programs.

Northwestern College began construction of a new $3.2 million indoor athletic facility which will house a weight room, practice green and batting and pitching cages.

OTHER NOTES of INTEREST

Athletic Directors across the country are planning to invest in facility upgrades and the general fan experience as a way to better connect with the 21^st century fan.