Courtesy: Stony Brook Athletic Communications
STONY BROOK, N.Y. ? Stony Brook University has announced a $20 million renovation and expansion of Stony Brook University Arena, which opened in 1990 at a cost of $17 million. The University has hired two architectural firms to prepare renovation and design plans for the current home of the Seawolves basketball teams. The project is scheduled to begin in early Fall 2008. In addition to the arena renovation, Stony Brook athletics has two other basketball enhancement related phases that are currently underway; a $1.5 million project that will give SBU basketball teams new locker room facilities, video/film rooms and team lounges; and a $1.2 million renovation of Pritchard Gymnasium. The home of Stony Brook basketball from 1969-1990, the renovated Pritchard Gymnasium will serve as the home court for the 2008-09 basketball and volleyball seasons while renovations to Stony Brook Arena are taking place. Once completed, Pritchard Gymnasium will become the permanent home of Seawolves volleyball as well as a practice facility for the basketball teams.
A “fly-through” view of what the arena will look like when completed as well as a gallery of architectural views of the project can be found on the Stony Brook Athletics website at www.goseawolves.org. To view the video now please click here. To view the photo gallery now click here.
A campus selection committee chose the partnership of HOK Sport and NK Architects from 13 firms that responded to the University’s request for qualifications. HOK Sport, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is an internationally renowned sports facility design firm who has worked with more than 120 universities around the country. They are also currently the design architect for the new Citi Field for the New York Mets and the new Yankee Stadium. HOK Sport will partner with the New York City Offices of NK Architects, a firm with a 35-year history of facility planning and design in higher education.
“Stony Brook University is one of the premier academic institutions in the world and we are committed to supporting an athletics program with the same high standards and expectations,” said University President Shirley Strum Kenny. “In conjunction with the beautiful Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium, the renovated Stony Brook University Arena shows our commitment to achieving an impressive level of excellence in all that we do. In order for Stony Brook University to compete against top Division I teams, we need to build a facility that compares to, or outshines, other campus arenas. Senator Ken LaValle has been a valued player in this venture. The Senator has made a significant effort in generating funding that will allow Stony Brook Seawolves Athletics to develop a premier arena and has committed his continued support of this project.”
“Stony Brook University has continually earned national and worldwide recognition for its academics,” said Senator LaValle, Chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee. “The expansion and improvement of the arena will give the university a tremendous advantage in attracting first class student-athletes from around the country and allow them to successfully compete at the highest level.”
Among the many design enhancements included in this renovation project is a new bowl seating configuration which will bring intimate atmosphere to the game court for over 4,000 spectators; modern arena video technology to enhance fan experience; improved practice courts and a new competition basketball court; four luxury suites; a VIP lounge with loge seating; improved fan amenities (concessions, restrooms, expanded concourse); and indoor training spaces for the track and field programs.
“Stony Brook University coaches, student-athletes, staff, alumni and supporters strive for excellence in all that they do and we are committed to creating a first class facility to match that commitment,” said Director of Athletics Jim Fiore. “The renovation and expansion of Stony Brook University Arena will be state-of-the-art in every facet and will allow our athletic program to continue its momentum and surge towards distinction. It is our expectation that the formula of a University with a powerful academic reputation, a new state of the art basketball arena and talented and tenacious basketball coaches in Steve Pikiell and Michele Cherry will result in America East Conference championships well into the future.”
HOK Sport recently completed a master plan for the University’s athletic facilities and saw an arena renovation and expansion as a priority.
“Stony Brook University is in a unique position to bring their arena up to current NCAA Division I standards,” said Jim Swords, HOK Sport Principal. “We look forward to working with the University administration, student-athletes, coaches and fans, to create an arena that will continue to enhance Stony Brook’s competitive edge.”