St. John's University in New York has announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art practice facility to serve the the Red Storm's men's and women's basketball programs. 
The new basketball facility project will be developed in conjunction with a renovation of Taffner Fieldhouse to create a best-in-class campus recreation center for the University community.
The men's and women's basketball practice facility is expected to be ready by spring 2027.
St. John's has contracted Gensler architecture firm to begin the design phase of both projects immediately.
Buena Vista University, a private university in Storm Lake, Iowa, plans to break ground on a new addition to Siebens Fieldhouse.
The proposed expansion, spanning more than 7,000 square feet, will feature a new athletic performance facility with dedicated areas for strength training, conditioning, cross-training, and rehabilitation, which will include 16 in-ground platforms and power racks, branded weight plates and dumbbells, Olympic-style weightlifting equipment tailored to women and men, and over 1,000 square-feet of turf.
Three generous gifts totaling $6.3 million make this significant development possible. Once the full $10 million is raised, the project will allow for the renovation of key spaces like the Al Baxter Wrestling Room, the Lamberti Recreation Center and Dennis Young Track, locker rooms, general workout space, meeting rooms, and coaches’ offices, further supporting the development and well-being of all students.
More:
- An Indianapolis school is dedicating its new fieldhouse to a teacher who died from COVID-19. North Central High School dedicated the new facility to honor the life and legacy of Paul Loggan, who spent 32 years advocating for athletes as a teacher, coach and athletic director, died from COVID-19 complications in 2020. Inside the 91,500-square-foot Paul Loggan Fieldhouse, visitors will find four basketball courts, a six-lane track, a wrestling room, coaching offices, multipurpose rooms and more.
- The Pat O’Rourke Community Recreation and Aquatic Center in El Paso, Texas, held its grand opening last week after renovations. The project was funded through the City of El Paso’s 2012 Quality of Life bond program. The city says the $1 million enhancements will help accommodate sports, fitness, aerobics, games, and outdoor leisure activities. Improvements include:
- New gym flooring
- New tile for the pool deck
- New fitness equipment
- An enhanced HVAC system
- Replacement of patio LED lights
- New furniture for the patio area
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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