Saint
Louis University Announces
Arena Groundbreaking
ST. LOUIS-- Saint Louis University’s Board of Trustees
has approved beginning construction of the University’s
multipurpose Arena by September 2006. The trustees also
approved design updates that include a practice facility
and athletic department offices in the construction plan.
 |
| SLU's 10,000-seat Arena will feature a practice facility
and athletic department offices. |
"The commitment of the University and our Board of
Trustees to the multipurpose Arena project has never been
stronger,” said University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J.
“This Arena will not only enhance life at the University,
but will bring thousands of people to Midtown for Billiken
basketball and other events.”
The Arena will be located on University-owned property
near the intersection of Compton Ave. and Interstate 64/Highway
40. The Arena project has been re-designed to include a
two-court practice facility, athletic department offices,
locker rooms, state-of-the-art strength and conditioning
and sports medicine areas adjacent to the 10,000 seat Arena.
At 10,000 seats, the Arena will be among the top four in
seating capacity in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Construction
of the Arena complex is estimated at $77 million. With the
addition of design and other fees, the total cost of the
project is $80 million.
“We could not be more excited about this project and what
it means to the future of Billiken athletics,” said Director
of Athletics Cheryl Levick. “We are going to have a first-class
facility with the perfect atmosphere for basketball plus
all the amenities needed to recruit top athletes to our
Division I programs.”
The Saint Louis University Arena will be a true multipurpose
facility that will host concerts, family shows, sporting
events, trade shows and many other events. The Arena will
have luxury boxes, party rooms, a Billiken Club and many
other amenities. The practice facility and athletic offices
will be on the western end of the Arena complex.
Finalizing design work on the Arena will begin immediately,
with groundbreaking to take place by September.
Significant progress has been made on the $39 million fund
raising goal for the Arena project, and University officials
are confident of reaching the goal within the next 9-12
months. The Arena will be funded through fundraising, $8
million in TIF funding, and bonds, which will be paid off
with revenues from the Arena.
“This announcement shows the University’s commitment to
our basketball program and a desire to see it become one
of the nation’s best,” said men’s basketball coach Brad
Soderberg. “This is a huge upgrade because the facility
will have everything our program needs to succeed at the
next level and we’re excited that it’s going to get started
in the next few months.”
“To be able to show recruits that work is beginning on
our new basketball home will be a tremendous asset as we
try to bring in the best student-athletes,” said women’s
basketball coach Shimmy Gray. “Our current facilities in
Bauman-Eberhardt Center have put us at a competitive disadvantage
and we can’t wait to move into the fabulous new facility.”
In addition to serving the needs of men’s and women’s basketball,
the practice facility will also have movable seats and will
be the home for the women’s volleyball games.
The Arena will be a prominent presence on the eastern end
of the SLU campus and will be visible to hundreds of thousands
of vehicles that pass by each year on Interstate 64/Highway
40.
Related links:
