The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) finally opened the doors to its brand-new multi-purpose Event Center, which has been in construction for over two years at a cost of US$85m.
The ceremony was marked with the hosting of its first ever men’s basketball game as the university’s Retrievers took on the Vermont Catamounts at the new 6,000-capacity venue located on the UMBC campus.
The four-story, all-in-one facility offers 172,000ft² of space to accommodate sporting events, concerts, and trade shows and is equipped with concessions, catering, hospitality, restrooms and security and guest services amenities.
The facility will house the administrative and coaches’ offices for the UMBC athletics department and also feature spaces for academic services, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, locker rooms and dedicated practice space. Above the seating bowl, a dynamic hospitality space overlooks the main court and athletic precinct.
“The Event Center is a signature venue for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). It’s one of the premier mid-major Division 1 facilities in the country and responds to the school’s athletics success and growing student population,” said Robert Fatovic, AIA of CannonDesign who created the project.
“The Event Center is positioned at the entry to the campus’ athletics precinct and replaced their previous 40-year-old arena. In reality and symbolically, it establishes a new era for the school’s athletics programs.
“Throughout the design of the project, we focused on ensuring the UMBC Event Center was multi-dimensional and capable of hosting events and speakers beyond sports. Now built, the stadium delivers on that promise and will be a campus destination for commencements, concerts and numerous other important functions.”
February 23, 2018
