After more than 50 years of planning, hoping and dreaming, the Bank Independent Stadium project at the University of North Alabama got a big step closer to fruition as members of the UNA Board of Trustees, campus administration and Bank Independent representatives gathered Friday afternoon at the site of the on-campus stadium to break ground.
The event came just a few hours after members of the Board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing and supporting Bank Independent Stadium design and overall budgetary approach, which paved the way for moving the project into its third and final phase.
"Today's groundbreaking further solidifies our Board's commitment to fund this capital project," said Will Trapp, President Pro Tempore of UNA's Board. "As with most things here at UNA, it takes everyone doing their part and working together for these opportunities to make the most impact. We have received great support from alumni and friends, community organizations, and, of course, from our naming rights partner, Bank Independent. [Roar Lions]
Northeastern University yesterday filed detailed plans with the BPDA for its proposed replacement for Matthews Arena on St. Botolph Street and laid out longer-term plans for several new buildings across its campus, including dorms and lab buildings, some 20 stories tall, that could dramatically change the look of one stretch of Huntington Avenue if built.
What the university is calling the 262 St. Botolph Street Multipurpose Athletic Facility would be able to hold 4,000 fans for hockey games and 5,000 for basketball games and would include recreational sports facilities for use by the entire campus, including an indoor turf field, rowing tanks and an auditorium - which the school says might even become a place for Boston Public Schools to hold graduations, according to its "project notification form."
Northeastern said it looked at renovating or adding to Matthews Arena, built in 1910, but concluded the current building is in such poor structural shape, extensive work would not even be possible. [Universal Hub]
As the summer starts, many major construction projects are already underway at 15 high schools in Fulton County. The first phase of upgrades is already complete.
This is all part of a $13.6 million contract that the Fulton County School District put in place last fall. The goal is to give practice fields long term durability but replacing grass with turf.
Fulton County Schools Athletic Director Lamarr Glenn said, “You have several sports on it, year-round. The grass takes a pounding and so with this, this is going to save tremendously. It gives us a year-round playing surface. We don’t have to deal with the mud, the rain.”
He says several practice facilities had began to suffer from wear and tear. [Atlanta News First]
Hyde School is thrilled to announce the groundbreaking of a comprehensive renovation of its Outdoor Athletics Complex, marking a significant enhancement in the school's athletic facilities and overall quality of life for its students and the community.
The ambitious project includes the installation of a state-of-the-art turf playing surface and track, complete locker room renovation, the addition of a family viewing pavilion, and a new scoreboard. Hyde School has partnered with industry leader FieldTurf for the track and turf field renovation, ensuring top-tier quality and performance for the new facilities. The estimated completion date for this project is September 1, 2024.
"Thanks to the generosity of several Hyde supporters, we are able to move forward with this important campus improvement. We are excited to partner with FieldTurf for what will be one of the top playing surfaces in Maine. Hyde student-athletes will greatly benefit from the new athletics facility starting at the beginning of school this fall," said Will Bridgeo, Director of Development. [Technology Today]
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