College Construction Round-Up May 2023 Part I
By Darian Kelly
Last Updated on May 19, 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.
Soccer
Creighton has unveiled two digital display projects; the first is a video board placed in Michael G. Morrison Stadium. The new Daktronics-crafted video board is 40% larger than the previous one and cracked the country’s top three. In addition, D.J. Sokol Arena has finalized its LED light upgrade project. Echo Supply Omaha provided 8 Ephesus Lumadapt lights to the multi-use arena.
Track & Field
The University of Colorado athletics has started constructing a building close to Potts Field. Once the new facility is completed, it will contain equipment storage, concession areas, and additional restrooms; Potts Field will also receive numerous upgrades, including new turf, track surface, and lighting. Moreover, Bryan Benjamin Sax Ski Team Building is receiving enhancements. The CU Foundation has contributed over $4 million to these projects.
Kansas State has initiated the build-out of its new indoor track facility. The Wildcats’ new $12 million complex comprises contributions from both donors and the athletic department. The initial phases of the project included stripping the past turf used by the football team and lighting fixtures. In addition, Mondo will be responsible for providing a unique X 720 surface throughout the facility, which will give performers a savvy combination of comfort and safety through its partnership with the athletics department. The new facility will also contain an 8-lane straightaway for sprinters, a 6-lane oval, dual jump lanes, and areas for throwers.
Multi-Use Facilities
Montana has started construction efforts on its brand-new indoor facility. The $10 million mixed-use facility will include six sprint lanes, track and field practice areas, and pickleball courts. In addition, it will provide rentable space for those not affiliated with University of Montana athletics.
Basketball
Rhode Island is anticipating the grand opening of the Soloviev Family Basketball Practice Facility in August, right before the start of Basketball season. The Soloviev Family Basketball Practice facility, will allow both men’s and women’s basketball players 24-hour access to resources and technology to help sharpen their skills. Ultimately, this dedicated basketball facility will help give Rhode Island a leg up in attracting the best basketball talent moving forward.
Football
Penn State recently received approval from the university’s Board of Trustees Committee on Finance, Business, and Capital Planning for the preliminary stages of the restoration of Beaver Stadium. The initial phases of the construction project will cost $70 million and will focus on weatherization upgrades, plumbing, and additional premium seating for fans on the west side of Beaver Stadium. Additionally, these specialized renovations will cost roughly $700 million and be funded by Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. Furthermore, construction is intended to commence at the top of the year.
The University of Wyoming football team will play on fresh turf before their home opener against Texas Tech in early September. Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium will have a Vertex CORE surface. This marks the second turf installation at War Memorial Stadium; Vertex CORE is unique in combining classic HD slit-film fiber and CORE monofilament super fiber.
The annual rivalry football game between Georgia and Florida may be played at an alternate field, given extensive construction at TIAA Bank Field. Renovations are projected to last for two years, leaving some, such as Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, speculating a home-and-home game trade-off between the Bulldogs and Gators for the next two seasons. In addition, the Jacksonville Jaguars, whose home field is TIAA Bank Stadium, is contemplating playing its games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida. Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin told The Athletic, “It would be worth a conversation.”
Cincinnati has released new information for its new indoor practice facility. The build process’s initial phases will occur at this month’s end. The 84,000-square-foot complex will feature a climate-responsible practice space for the football team, a standard-size football field. Moreover, the Bearcats’ new athletic complex will contain a 96,000-square-foot performance center stocked with nutritional stations for athletes, a weight room, and mental health resources for athletes. The capital for this construction project was provided through a gift from Larry and Rhonda Sheakley. According to the University of Cincinnati, it is the most significant gift in the athletic department’s history. Ultimately the performance is slated to be completed before the start of the following football season.
Alabama A&M will unveil a new playing surface for its football team when they kick off the 2023 season. According to athletic director Dr. Paul Bryant, the Bulldogs’ new modernized turf will feature coconut husks instead of traditional rubber pellets. This will be the Bulldogs’ second football surface installation, the first dating back to 2012.
