Take a look at renderings of Arizona's new and improved athletic facilities
- By Dominic Baciocco Arizona Daily Star
Dominic Baciocco
Sports producer
- Updated
The UA released details and renderings to projects for five different athletic facilities in March. Projects include renovations and upgrades to Arizona Stadium, McKale Center, Hillenbrand Aquatic Center and Hillenbrand Stadium, and a new indoor sports center.
The Arizona Board of Regents in September 2017 approved athletic director Dave Heeke's $66 million Capital Improvement Plan to upgrade the UA's sports facilities. Student fees and donor contributions will help fund the projects, as will Pac-12 media rights revenue.
The school said in a press release earlier this year that "all funds required for new facilities and renovations are provided through the continued support and generosity of athletics department ticket buyers and donors."
Check out the plans for five new projects coming soon to Arizona's athletic facilities.
Indoor sports center
UpdatedConstruction for the university's new indoor sports complex is slated to begin sometime in April, with a quick completion date expected in December. The $15 million facility will sit across the street from Arizona Stadium on the old site of Sancet Stadium, spanning from East Sixth Street to the new Ginny L. Clements Academic Center.
Among the upgrades, according to the UA's Capital Campaign:
- 90-yard field with a 10-yard end zone.
- Full-width, climate-controlled space for training and conditioning amongst other opportunities.
Hillenbrand Stadium
UpdatedHillenbrand Stadium will receive its first major renovation since 2006 after the Wildcats' season ends, with upgrades to the press box and seating area behind home plate. The softball stadium opened in 1993 and has since seen upgrades from outfield bleachers and a new video board, to the facility's weather-resistant infield.
The $8 million project is expected to be completed by the start of the 2019 softball season.
Hillenbrand Aquatic Center
UpdatedThe UA's aquatic center will get upgrades to its pools, diving well, pump and plumbing. Hillenbrand's 50-meter pool will expand and the facility will get four new 25-yard short course lanes, all to the delight of new Arizona swim coach Augie Busch. The center hasn't received a significant upgrade since 2008, when the UA added a state-of-the-art diving well.
The $15 million project is expected to begin April 1 and finish by Jan. 1, 2019. Among the upgrades, according to the UA's Capital Campaign:
- Rebuild and expand the 50-meter pool to 65 meters, including the old diving well.
- Increase the number of 25-yard short course lanes from 18 to 22.
- Replace and significantly upgrade the pump and plumbing infrastructure.
McKale Center locker rooms
UpdatedThe $1.5 million upgrades to McKale Center's lower concourse will be for new and remodeled locker rooms. The UA gave McKale a $30 million facelift in 2014, which included new and expanded locker rooms for the men's and women's basketball teams and volleyball team. It also added film rooms and lounge areas.
The new renovations will add locker rooms for other programs at the UA. The project will commence Monday, with a goal of being completed by Aug. 15.
Among the upgrades, according to the UA's Capital Campaign:
- Working in the lower concourse in the old academic and lab-space area.
- New locker rooms for men’s golf, soccer, men’s tennis, and women’s track and field/xc.
- Remodeled locker rooms for women’s swimming and diving and men’s track and field/xc.
Plans and information for all of the school's upcoming upgrades to athletic facilities can be viewed on its new "Capital Campaign" page.
Dominic Baciocco
Sports producer
More information
- UA boosters commit $8M for massive indoor sports center on campus
- Recruiting machine: Sean Miller's 5 best classes with the Arizona Wildcats
- USA Today financial report: Here's where Arizona, ASU, Pac-12 rank among NCAA programs
- USA Diving clears coach who Arizona hired, then dumped
- Arizona AD Dave Heeke on night games, Khalil Tate and stadium upgrades
- Greg Hansen: Wildcats ready to dive into season behind $13.2 million pool renovation
- Arizona Wildcats softball team preps for season as stadium gets needed facelift
- New Hillenbrand Stadium tops expectations; now Arizona Wildcats hope to do the same
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