As expected, the next phase of the Razorback athletic facilities master plan was given the green light this week.
The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees approved the construction of three athletic facilities, a Student-Athlete Success Center, a basketball practice facility and a baseball and track indoor training facility, as part of the agenda of their regularly scheduled meeting held Friday in Little Rock.
The first phase included a $40 million football operations center that is scheduled to be complete by summer 2013, and a $4.6 million high-definition video display scoreboard recently installed at Razorback Stadium.
No timeline has not been established for construction of the facilities, which are each contingent on successful fund raising efforts.
UA officials said no university funds will be required to complete the projects which are set to be paid for entirely by athletic revenues, gifts, and bond proceeds from a future bond issue.
Unveiled in October 2011, the Razorback Athletic Facilities Master Plan established a vision and a road map for $320 million of facility renovations and additions designed to help all 19 Razorback sports remain competitive in the Southeastern Conference and nationally over the next 30 years.
Student-athlete success center
Student-athlete success center
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The student-athlete success center would serve as the new home to the Bogle Academic Center and the department’s career development and student-athlete development programs.
The 47,000-58,000 square-foot facility would accommodate multiple learning environments and educational programs for the school’s 460 student-athletes and will include tutorial rooms, study areas, a computer lab, and several learning labs. It will also house a 500-seat auditorium, a dining hall, and offices for the sports psychologist, nutritionist, and student-athlete development staff.
Estimated cost: $18-23 million.
Design: WD&D (Little Rock and Fayetteville) will work with Heery International, Inc. (Atlanta, Ga.) on the design of the facility.
Construction: VCC (Little Rock) will be the construction manager and general contractor on the center.
Basketball practice facility
Basketball practice facility
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The 70,000-85,000 square-foot basketball practice facility would include all operational components for the men’s and women’s basketball teams and would be located south of Leroy Pond Road, between Bogle Park and the Gardens, across from Bud Walton Arena.
The building will house separate gyms for the men’s and women’s teams. In addition to two full courts with side baskets, the building will house locker rooms for men and women, weight rooms, training rooms and associated office areas, coaching staff suites, meeting rooms, team lounge, and a museum.
Estimated cost: $20-25 million
Design: MAHG Architecture (Fort Smith) and Populous (Kansas City, Mo.) will lead the design team on the basketball practice facility.
Construction: CDI Constructors (Fayetteville and Little Rock) will serve as the general contractor on the project.
Baseball and track indoor training facility
Baseball and track indoor training facility
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The proposed location for the baseball and track indoor training facility is on the north side of the existing Randal Tyson Track Center.
The 40,000-45,000 square-foot facility would provide a climate-controlled practice space, including a practice infield, throwing area, batting areas, and ancillary team spaces. The facility could house all throwing events in SEC or NCAA Championships.
In addition, the facility would feature a shared strength and conditioning space and training room for both programs.
Estimated cost: $7.75-$9.625 million
Design: Witsell Evans Rasco (Little Rock) will work in conjunction with HKS (Dallas, Texas) on the design of the baseball and track indoor training facility.
Construction: Kinco Constructors (Little Rock, Springdale) will be the general contractor on the project.
A side note to that press release about the facilities: A new $20 million classroom building is also approved by the BOT, and its being paid for by the athletic department. That’s right, the athletic department has pledged $1.25 million per year to pay off the bonds related to a new 4 story classroom building on campus that will break ground this summer.
So not only do these new athletic facilities not cost students or taxpayers anything, the athletic department at the U of A actually is building a new classroom building for the school.
Woo Pig Sooie!
Well, the athletes are like, also students. And, since 99% of them will never play professional football, that classroom building is way more important than any other buildings.
more like the flunkout prevention center. can you imagine any other student group getting pampered like this? it seems like a virtual admission that the athletes couldn’t make it through the U if they had to compete academically on the same, er, playing field as everyone else. is this what we call academic standards? a favored group is coddled and given special treatment so they can get a degree from this U? And this college has the nerve to ask the city for money?
They are building themselves a facility so that they can improve their academics. That is good. Of course they didn’t all get here because of their intellects. Many of them are here on sports scholarships. Some are smarter than others. Regardless, and for whatever reason, they are trying to improve their academics. That is a positive thing, right?