New Outdoor Track and Field Stadium Approved

[Ignatius L Hoops]

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-track/spec-rel/101416aaa.html

With today's approval from the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, the University will proceed with a plan to build a new outdoor track and field stadium on its East Bank campus. Though timelines on construction projects are always fluid, current plans call for the facility to open in September 2018.

"To maintain a successful, broad-based athletics department, our students need first-class facilities to train, practice and compete," said athletics director Mark Coyle. "This new outdoor track and field stadium will provide that type of facility for our men's and women's track and field programs while giving them a long-term, on-campus home...


...The new stadium will feature a nine-lane track, full field event and steeplechase hosting capabilities, and a design to allow sprints and certain field events to be held in multiple directions to take advantage of wind conditions on competition days. These features provide the flexibility to host a wide variety of meets. Permanent and event-based seating will offer enough room for spectators to satisfy the hosting requirements for these meets as well.

Situated just to the east of Siebert Field, the University's baseball venue, this new stadium will be located in the heart of the new Athletes Village area. The University's rec sports softball field and indoor bubble, which currently occupy the future site of the facility, will be relocated.

The project will cost the athletics department approximately $19 million

 

[#2Gopher]

Maybe they'll have a "run a thon" to pay for it.

 

[Ignatius L Hoops]

http://www.gophersports.com/genrel/102716aaa.html

The University of Minnesota today announced that PCL Construction Services and DLR Group have been selected to design and construct the new University of Minnesota Track and Field Stadium. PCL/DLR will begin work on the facility immediately and will ultimately be responsible for all facets of taking the facility from the drawing board to reality. Though construction timelines are always fluid, current plans call for the facility to open in September 2018.

“The construction of a competition-level outdoor track and field stadium is one of our top priorities for the athletics department,” said Athletics Director Mark Coyle. “We appreciate all the organizations that took the time to participate in the selection process and we are excited to get to work with PCL and DLR to provide a first-class facility for every student that proudly wears Minnesota on their chest and competes for our track and field programs.”

The PCL/DLR team was selected from a competitive best value selection process. The team has experience as the University’s design/build partner with its work on the new Siebert Field, a facility which will be the next-door neighbor of the new track. PCL/DLR delivered that project on time and on budget against some of the same challenges that will face the new track, particularly a tight worksite and an ambitious construction timeline.

In addition to the team’s experience with Siebert Field, PCL/DLR works with expert track consultants, particularly Don Paige. Paige, one of the most respected track designers in the nation, will work closely with PCL/DLR on this facility. His resume includes work on more than 350 track and field facilities around the country