Construction will begin immediately on a US$29m renovation of Arkansas State University’s Centennial Bank Stadium north endzone, providing student-athletes with a 66,533ft² athletic facility, while Red Wolves fans will sit in upgraded, premium seating set among cascading waterfalls.
Private funding for the expansion was agreed by the Arkansas State University Board of Trustees, who approved ground lease and space lease deals to facilitate the construction of the new athletics center and Red Wolves Den.
The project, which has no public funding, will focus on an enhanced experience for the student-athletes with a new weight room, rehabilitation and training area, team locker room, players’ lounge, team-theater and academic rooms.
“We’re building an experience in order to help fund this opportunity to enhance the perception of our athletics program. This project will allow us to attract the top students in the country and provide first-class services to develop our students on and off the playing surfaces,” said Terry Mohajir, director of athletics at ASU.
Fans will experience all-new seating options including 150 loge boxes that each accommodate up to four people as well as 68 premium terraced seats that replace current bleacher seats to generate additional revenue for the athletics department.
Fans who access the luxury of the new north endzone will also be sat next to the unique feature of flowing waterfalls located on both sidelines. The aquatic addition is said to pay homage to The Natural State, with landscape features indigenous to the state of Arkansas. The all-new Red Wolves Den will also provide private and corporate event opportunities on non-game days.
Designed by architect AECOM and with construction carried out by Ramsons of Jonesboro, the university wants to have the project finished in time for the 2018 season and contractors are ready to get to work, although a breaking date will be announced later.
“They are wanting to move on this to start this project before the potential for bad winter weather starts,” said Arkansas State University system president Chuck Welch. “The Athletics Department and foundation want to begin construction as soon as possible so the revenue-generating seating is ready for the 2018 fall season.”
November 22, 2017
Written by James Billington
