To be built in two phases, the first phase will include the construction of a new field house to the north side of the current Ryder Center, featuring a 300-meter indoor track and a synthetic turf surface. The indoor track will replace the current indoor and outdoor tracks at the University, and is scheduled to be completed in April 2014. With the new synthetic turf surface, the track can be used for baseball, softball, football and soccer practice purposes.
The expansion project also includes renovation of the current 1989-built building. Work which would begin in May 2014, will involve reduction of seating capacity in O’Neill Arena for basketball from the current 3,500 to 2,400 seats; and addition of seating for other events, such as Commencement, from 4,000 to around 4,700 seats. This is expected to be completed by November 2014.
Besides athletics, the Ryder Center is also used for exercise and fitness, and club and intramural sports by the students. The University is borrowing up to $12 million for the project and is paying the remaining cost through existing capital reserves.
