The University of Rhode Island officially opened the nearly $8 million Soloviev Basketball Practice Facility during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 6.
URI’s former West Gymnasium has been transformed into a new high-tech practice facility for the URI men’s and women’s basketball programs.
Courtesy the University of Rhode Island
The new, state-of-the-art facility features one full-sized basketball court and two half-sized courts, along with an advanced sound and lighting system, that will provide the men’s and women’s teams with more court time, scheduling flexibility, and a facility that rivals some of the nation’s best.
The project was funded by a generous lead gift from Stefan Soloviev and the Solow Art and Architecture Foundation. [University of Rhode Island]
Courtesy of the University of Northern Iowa
The University of Northern Iowa has unveiled conceptual renderings for a proposed new wrestling training facility.
UNI has asked the Iowa Board of Regents for permission to plan for such a facility, and the matter is on the docket for consideration.
Subject to Board of Regents’ approval, UNI can begin the necessary planning to evaluate potential designs that could be scaled to the size and scope that fundraising efforts would permit. This building will be solely financed by private gifts. 
Courtesy of the University of Northern Iowa
The new facility will meet the program’s existing and anticipated future needs with room for multiple mats, weight and cardio training space, locker room, training room and rehabilitation space, as well as office space for the wrestling staff.
UNI and experienced architects will continue to collaborate on the project, if approved. UNI officials have previously indicated that incorporating elements of the West Gym into the design of the new wrestling facility is essential.
In October, UNI announced that it planned to add a new training facility for its wrestling program pending to the Our Tomorrow fundraising campaign.
To date, over $246 million has been raised by more than 27,000 individual donors over the course of a campaign set to run through UNI’s sesquicentennial in 2026. [University of Northern Iowa]
After nearly two years of working and waiting, Cold Springs High School in Bremen, Ala., celebrated the opening of its new gymnasium with a ribbon cutting in early November.
The new facility was packed with students and other Eagle supporters along with several County and County Schools representatives.
Cold Springs High School Principal Eric Dickerson is excited for the Cold Springs community to enjoy the new facility.
“Eight years ago, when I first became superintendent, Mrs. Wendy Crider brought me to Cold Springs and told me ‘We need a new gym’ and I told her ‘We have no money’,” Cullman County Schools Superintendent Shane Barnette said. “So, we were looking at trying to remodel the old gym and several years later with the help of our board we started saving money, pinching pennies and doing things like that so that this could become a reality. Then we moved to Wayne (Myrex) becoming a school board member and I will tell you this, I know the guys who have been working on this project and Wayne has been in their ear since the very first day they broke ground. He’s been an advocate for this school and if you haven’t told him you appreciate him you need to be sure and do that. Anytime he would come to me, and I would bring it up to our school board to make decisions, they’ve supported you guys because all of you that are sitting in the stands and all of you that are standing that support this school are loved and appreciated. You’re one of our smallest schools in our district, but you are loved just as much as every student in Cullman County Schools, and you now have probably the nicest gymnasium in north Alabama, and that’s something you should be very proud of.”
Lady Eagles Head Coach Tammy West was also thankful for the new facility.
“It’s really nice in here, we’ve got so much seating and we’re going to make it home," West said. "It may take a little bit but we’re going to make it home and I’m looking forward to it. We also plan on hanging a few more banners and finish decorating the walls.” [Cullman Tribune]
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