Daily Digs: USC Galen Center Arena Improvements, Carroll College Stadium Enhancements, and More

The Galen Center at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles received a face-lift in the offseason to enhance the game day experience of students, fans, donors and student-athletes.

One highlight of the Galen Center upgrades greets fans as soon as they walk through the doors. What was once a lobby now features two 30-foot LED boards from floor to ceiling that can be customized for each of the sports played there: men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball. Galen Center received a facelift in the offseason to enhance the game day experience of students, fans, donors and student-athletes.Photo courtesy of USC/Gus Ruelas

The Galen Center Founders Club along the north entrance was also revamped with brand-new flooring, seats and TVs. The 8,000-square-foot hall features a patio with new furniture, bistro lighting and fire pits.

There is also new lighting along the concourse and updated graphics and signage.

Another improvement is the revamped athlete tunnel — for Trojan athletes to walk from the locker room to the court — and an Instagram-worthy entryway. The Galen Center’s main daily entry used by all student-athletes and staff received a major branding overhaul.

   Illuminated “Fight On!” signage at Galen Center’s main entrances are ready-made for selfies.Courtesy of USC/John McGillen

Carroll College in Helena, Mont., has a stadium renovation project underway. 

The $5 million Nelson Stadium Enhancement Project will transform the facility into a year-round venue for both athletic and community events by the fall of 2024.

The current natural grass of Nelson Stadium has its limitations due to Montana’s diverse weather conditions. Restricted daylight practice hours also cut short the optimal use of the facility. The proposed enhancements will circumvent these challenges by adding a state-of-the-art synthetic turf field and stadium lights. 

Rendering courtesy of Carroll College

The project will benefit Carroll's football, men's and women's soccer, and softball athletic programs by offering lighting for evening practices and contests. In addition, the improvements provide growth opportunities for emerging sports and improved access for intramural activities for the larger student body.

Additionally, the renovations will allow Helena to proactively vie for hosting statewide tournaments and exhibition matches in football, soccer, and lacrosse, given its central position in Montana.

The project has an anticipated completion date of August 2024 — in time for Carroll’s first home football game.

More projects:

• In Indiana, the Mishawaka Fieldhouse will have 10 multi-use indoor courts for basketball or volleyball, two turf fields, pickleball courts, and all the training and athletic support needed to bring 30- to 40 tournaments to the area. The $38 million, 230,000-square-foot endeavor is expected to wrap by July. 
• A  $900 million NBA arena project for the Oklahoma City Thunder is targeted to open for the 2029-2030 NBA season. Seventy million dollars is planned to come from MAPS 4 funds and $50 million from the owners of the team. The remaining more than $700 million needed for the facility will come from a 72-month one-cent sales tax. The deal is meant to keep the Thunder in the city through 2050.
  
     

The Daily Digs from Athletic Business' AB Today e-newsletter is a weekday spotlight on new or announced athletics facilities projects. 

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