January Athletic Construction Roundup

The Athletics Construction Roundup is a monthly series on the 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. Here are the construction projects from the past two months:

University of Iowa
After installing unique video walls at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa repurposed the previous board and installed it at the softball facility. The “new” videoboard at Pearl Field is 16 feet tall and 28 feet wide.

University of Hawaii
After repeated construction delays on the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, the NCAA has stepped in and could punish Hawaii’s athletic department. Currently, student-athletes are left to use public locker rooms.

Hawaii is also looking to replace the scoreboard at Les Murakami Stadium. The current model has been known be inconsistent.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette
As a part of a previously announced athletics master plan, a made for TV groundbreaking was staged during the Ragin’ Cajuns’ football game against Troy. The first phase of the project will add 6,000 endzone seats.

University of Southern Mississippi
In a move that could become a trend, Southern Miss has introduced a social media suite at Reed Green Coliseum.

Vanderbilt University
Vandy has opened its new indoor practice facility. Among other features, it includes a full length football and a videoboard.

University of North Carolina
North Carolina is in serious, but preliminary, talks about renovating or replacing the Dean Smith Center. No matter which path the project takes, it will include revenue generators such as suites or club levels.

University of Arkansas
Currently the only team in the SEC without a dedicated basketball practice facility, Arkansas will break ground on one of their own. The $25 million facility will be completed by the summer of 2015.

Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View A&M has selected PBK Sports to design its previously announced 15,000 seat stadium and adjoining field house. The projected is expected to be completed in 2016.

San Diego State University
SDSU has unveiled plans for a $14.5 million basketball practice facility. The 23,500 square foot facility could be done by July 2015.

University of Michigan
Michigan will be building a $6 million operations center. The 18,000 square foot facility will house the department’s laundry facilities and maintenance shops, among other spaces.

University of Kentucky
Renderings have been released for a previously announced renovation of Commonwealth Stadium. Although overall capacity will be reduced, the $110 million project will add suites and a dedicated student entrance.

Iowa State University
Following a $25 million donation, Iowa State seems prepared to finally move forward with long standing plans to enclose the south endzone at Jack Trice Stadium. The project still needs to be approved by the board of regents.

Seton Hall University
Seton Hall has opened the Charles W. Doehler Academic Center.

Lafayette College
The recently completed $1.7 million renovation of the Kirby Sports Center has been well received. The project included both practical and aesthetic upgrades.

Drake University
Drake has broken ground a basketball practice facility. The $8 million facility should be completed by fall 2014.

University of Toledo
Toledo has announced a $5 million renovation to Larimer Athletic Complex, its main football building. The project will begin in February and increase space in many areas, including offices and the weight room.

Duke University
Deputy director of athletics Mike Cragg provides an update on previously announced projects at Duke and a few details on the planned renovation of Cameron Indoor Stadium in this interview.

Indiana University
IU is preparing for a major overhaul to Assembly Hall. The project would carry a $30 to $40 million price tag and include premium seating, a jumbotron, and a new entrance way. In related news, following a substantial donation the arena will now be known as Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall going forward.

South Dakota State University and University of South Dakota
South Dakota Regents had a busy day in which they approved numerous projects at the South Dakota State and the University of South Dakota. It unanimously approved the previously announced football stadium for SDSU. It also authorized multiple previously announced projects at South Dakota, including a new multi-sport arena.

University of Arizona
Arizona has announced an $80 million renovation of the McKale Center that will be completed in phases. The design includes a unique entry tunnel that will allow intimate fan access to the team in the moments before they take the floor.