New Projects: Drake/Des Moines Public Schools Shared Stadium | LSU Shreveport Soccer Facility

First Pitch

Drake University, in partnership with Des Moines Public Schools, is poised to build a $19.4 million football and soccer stadium on the university campus. Though plans were approved, opposition to the project remains and could ultimately derail it, pending legislative action. If the project is allowed to move forward, the proposed 4,000-seat stadium would become the home for four local high school football teams, as well as five high school soccer programs, in addition to serving Drake men's and women's soccer.

The Los Angeles City Planning Commission unanimously approved plans for a sports and entertainment venue in the Warner Center area. The plan calls for a 34-acre development that also includes residential space, storefronts, office space and hotels. The proposed $1.5 billion development also includes an arena that would provide seating for 7,500 with a partial roof, or 10,000 if fully enclosed, and would include dedicated space for cultural and community events.

Breaking Ground

[Rendering courtesy of Louisiana State University Shreveport]

Louisiana State University Shreveport broke ground in May on a 3,000-square-foot soccer complex. The facility will serve both the men's and women's soccer programs, and offer amenities such as locker rooms, coaches' offices, an athletic training room, secure storage, laundry rooms, an officials' room, and team restroom and shower facilities. It is expected to be completed in October and open for the 2020 soccer season.

Grand Openings

Georgia Tech unveiled the newly rebranded Zelnak Basketball Center. The practice facility for Tech men's and women's basketball was renovated to incorporate new branding in support of the school, the Atlantic Coast Conference and the programs' apparel sponsor, as well as to showcase the city of Atlanta.

Bishop Rider Catholic High School in Waco, Texas, didn't let the COVID-19 shutdown slow its planned athletics facility improvements. In June, the school unveiled a new weight room and began the process for updating its gymnasium floor with a new court design. 

Richardson (Texas) ISD recently completed four new 80,000-square-foot athletics facilities at each of the district's high schools. Construction on the final facility wrapped up in April. Each facility includes indoor practice fields, a weight room, meeting rooms and offices for coaches and staff. The projects were part of a $437 million bond measure approved in 2016.

This article originally appeared in the July | August 2020 issue of Athletic Business with the title "Forward Progress." Athletic Business is a free magazine for professionals in the athletic, fitness and recreation industry. Click here to subscribe.