Arizona athletics on Saturday released photos of planned renovations for softball's Hillenbrand Stadium, and created a website to showcase renderings and information about its several facility upgrades.
Plans and information for all of the school's upcoming upgrades to athletic facilities can be viewed on its new "Capital Campaign" page.
"We're excited to share details and renderings of the current facility projects and this landing page provides a comprehensive look in one convenient place," athletics director Dave Heeke said in a press release. "These five projects will address some long-standing needs, and at the same time, will improve the experience for virtually all of our student-athletes.
"This is just the start of what we hope will be a transformational period for our facilities, but we'll need the continued support of our fans and donors to address the remainder of our needs moving forward."
Renovations to Hillenbrand Stadium include upgrades to the seating area and press box. The project will begin after the completion of the 2018 season, with the goal of finishing in January 2019, according to the press release.
Photos the athletics department tweeted Saturday morning show a new press area and renovated grandstand behind home plate which will include an overhang.
25 years ago, Hillenbrand Stadium changed college softball. Now, Rita’s getting a makeover. Coming 2019...https://t.co/46kIPpYp8r pic.twitter.com/cTeHMxmbTH
— Arizona Softball (@ArizonaSoftball) March 24, 2018
Hillenbrand opened in 1993 and has had minor renovations over the years, including a padded outfield wall, warning track, weather-resistant surface, new video board and outfield bleachers.
The athletics department also updated its several other facility upgrades. Renovations to the lower east side of Arizona Stadium have already started, with upgrades coming to the Zona Zoo concourse and gate entry. The project should be completed by the Wildcats' season opener against BYU on Sept. 1.
The school's new Indoor Sports Center, a multi-use complex next to Arizona Stadium and McKale Center where Sancet Stadium used to be, will have a 90-yard turf field and one 10-yard end zone, according to the release. The new indoor facility will be climate controlled. Renovations are expected to begin in April, with a completion date set in December 2018.
Renderings for the new indoor sports complex, which can be found at the department's Capital Campaign page.
Renderings of the $15 million project show the facility stretching from East Sixth Street to the Ginny L. Clements Academic Center.
McKale Center will also receive upgrades to the lower concourse, including new and remodeled locker rooms for several of the school's teams. The project is set to begin Monday, with a goal of being completed by Aug. 15, according to the release.
The Hillenbrand Aquatic Center's 50-meter pool will be expanded to 65 meters, and the facility will get four new 25-yard short course lanes. Plumbing structures will be "significantly upgraded," with the project expected to commence April 1 and finish by Jan. 1, 2019, according to the release.
The school said in the press release that "all funds required for new facilities and renovations are provided through the continued support and generosity of athletics department ticket buyers and donors."
The UA recently put the finishing touches on a brand new, indoor hitting facility for the baseball team at Hi Corbett Field. Former Wildcat Terry Francona donated $1 million toward the facility, which now bears his name.
The school will also unveil a statue for legendary basketball coach Lute Olson, who let the Wildcats to their only national championship in 1997. The $300,000 statue, paid in large by private donations including one from Final Four hero Steve Kerr, will be unveiled on April 12. Olson's statue will sit north of the Jim Click Hall of Champions.
Donations to the project can still be made here.
