Facility Friday: Birmingham Stadium, Virginia Tech Conditioning Center, Portland State Arena

The mayor of Birmingham, Ala., made a pitch to the city council to fund a new stadium and upgrades at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.

Mayor Randall Woodfin recommended that the city put $90 million toward the new facility, which could play home to the revitalized University of Alabama-Birmingham football team and the Birmingham Bowl. — More at the Birmingham Business Journal

Georgia State University announced this week that it plans to build a new, multi-use facility near the site of the old Turner field.

The proposed facility would support various events, including concerts, conferences, commencements and Georgia State basketball games. The $80 million project would expand the seating available for Panther basketball games to about 8,000, up from the current 3,854 capacity at the Georgia State Sports Arena.

A $5 million bond would need legislative approval before the project could move forward. — More at Saporta Report

Virginia Tech University announced this week that it had received a $1 million donation that will be used to help fund an upgrade to the football team’s conditioning facility.

The $4.5 million project will nearly double the square footage of the Merryman Center, which currently occupies 6,900 square feet. After the renovation, the facility footprint will grow to a reported 12,300 square feet.

The new space will allow the school to add more weightlifting racks, and will relocate the post-workout nutrition station to an area adjacent to the weight room. It will also reportedly house offices for strength and conditioning staff members. — More at The Roanoke Times

Portland State University is set to open its new 3,400-seat basketball arena in early April. Dubbed the Viking Pavilion, $51 million project will host men’s and women’s basketball, as well as volleyball. Apart from its athletics functions, the campus community will also use the new building. The concourse will feature amenities on the concourse such as a coffee shop, a large study area and five general classrooms. More at The Oregonian/OregonLive