The University of North Alabama Board of Trustees in early June approved an on-campus, multipurpose stadium project, to be named Bank Independent Stadium, and authorized next steps for the venue’s design and planning process.
The on-campus, multipurpose stadium will be located at the current UNA Football practice fields and Mike Lane baseball stadium. The expected capacity is 10,000 seats to increase the capacity in the future.
The proposed stadium will re-develop areas used by North Alabama baseball, football, and soccer, while providing an opportunity to host numerous sporting and non-sporting events. Non- athletic events could include concerts, live performances as well as other academic and community events.
Bank Independent Stadium is now in the design phase, which is anticipated to take approximately 12-18 months. UNA will enter into an agreement with a sports construction firm to formalize the project scope, design and financial strategy.
University officials confirm that external fundraising will be the core driver for the development of the new facility.
Community and investment by local businesses, civic, municipal and private individuals have helped the university bring the goal one step closer to fruition, reiterating the fact that private giving and fundraising have provided a strong foundation of financial support for this project. —
Work officially began on a new multipurpose stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., after years of preparation.
Boyd Sports held the official groundbreaking ceremony for the stadium at 400 East Jackson Avenue on June 13.
The multi-purpose stadium will be the new home for the Tennessee Smokies baseball team. The team will once more return to being called the Knoxville Smokies after it returns to the city, which could happen as soon as 2025. The stadium will also host One Knox Soccer Club.
"This venue for professional baseball, soccer, festivals and concerts will greatly enhance the quality of life for Knoxville residents and the experience of visitors to our city," Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said. "Outside the stadium, there will be new public plazas and streets vibrant with new businesses. Remember, this is a space that has been dormant for decades. This public-private investment represents new jobs, East Knoxville redevelopment and game-changing wealth-building opportunities. The total economic impact of this project will be close to half a billion dollars over 30 years."
The stadium will be publicly owned. Randy Boyd, owner of Boyd Sports and current president of the University of Tennessee, assembled land for the site near Willow and Jackson avenues. — WBIR-TV
St. Lawrence University, a private liberal arts college in Canton, N.Y., is set to build a new $14 million athletic training center for Division 3 student-athletes.
What was originally meant to be a one-and-done enhancement project at the university’s Appleton Arena back in 2020 became a two-phase project to help with the large number of teams SLU has competing in Division 3 athletics.
The George W. Karpus Athletic Center will also have locker rooms exclusively meant for other Division 3 teams such as the men’s and women’s lacrosse and field hockey teams.
Other additions include a media center, a rowing training room, and a student lounge.
Construction begins this July and is expected to finish by the fall of 2024. — WWNY-TV
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