Full Release
Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida Athletic Department announced significant facility plans Friday, to include program-changing upgrades to its current softball stadium, a new baseball ballpark on the southwest part of campus, and a new stand-alone football training complex in the location of the current baseball stadium. These projects, which combined are estimated to cost $130 million, are part of phases 2 and 3 of the University Athletic Association's Facilities Master Plan.
"We want to invest wisely in our infrastructure to enhance our student-athlete and fan experiences," said Athletics Director
Scott Stricklin. "And we want to make sure that we are making the best long-term decisions to create championship experiences with integrity for all of those that touch our programs. Our athletic department is consistently among the top five in the nation, and it is our intent that all three of these facilities mirror that."
The estimated $11 million renovation to softball's Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium will begin in the summer of 2018 with a goal for completion prior to the 2019 season. Renovations will include a 360-degree open concourse, shade structures for fans and an elevated press box. Fixed seating, which will be all chairback seats, will increase from 1,431 to approximately 2,280 and overall capacity will be approximately 2,800. There will be modern student-athlete and staff amenities, such as locker room and sports medicine facilities, and enhanced experiences for fans.
"It's an exciting time to be a Gator. We are very thankful to have this opportunity to improve upon the championship atmosphere created by our dedicated fans, and enhance the quality of resources for our student-athletes, coaches and staff," said
Tim Walton. "The renovations to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium will continue to provide an intimate setting for fans who want to be close to the action, while also helping keep Florida softball in the competitive hunt for championships in the Southeastern Conference and at the national level every year. Special thanks to our loyal Gator Boosters, the administration and all UAA staff members who had a hand in making this project a reality."
The projects will be funded through private gifts, bond proceeds, and UAA investment earnings, with no state or university funding. The University of Florida Board of Trustees approved Friday a bond resolution for $50 million for Phase 2 of the UAA's Facilities Master Plan.
Per state of Florida debt management guidelines, the Board of Governors still has to approve the bond resolution at the end of June.
The UAA has made significant progress to date and already identified funding for $73 million of the $130 million needed for the three projects (including $50 million in bonds, $13 million in philanthropic support and $10 million in UAA investment earnings). The remaining funds needed will be dependent upon the generosity of the Gator Nation as
Scott Stricklin and the Gator Boosters staff continue to involve key constituents to support these important initiatives.
The full Facilities Master Plan, which will significantly impact the experience for all Gator student athletes in all 21 programs, as well as the fan experience in Ben Hill Griffin stadium, will be announced at a later date.
This weekend the Florida softball team is slated to play No. 8 Texas A&M in a three-game series starting Saturday at 5 p.m. at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
Information on Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium Renovation:
- Estimated Timeline:
- Construction Start: Summer, 2018
- Goal for completion: Prior to 2019 Season
- Estimated Budget:
- Funding:
- Philanthropic Support
- Bond Proceeds
- UAA Investment Earnings
- Partners:
- Architects and Engineering – Walker Architects and Populous
- Construction Manager – D.E. Scorpio Corporation
- Notes:
- 360 Degree Open Concourse & Seating
- The concourse will be connected across the entire stadium with open views to the field and viewing areas located along the outfield walls
- New Elevated Press Box
- Florida's press box will be raised to provide an open concourse, better access and additional shade for fans seated behind home plate.
- Shade Structures for Fans
- Multiple sections of seats will be shaded from the sun to make for a more comfortable environment for fans
- Modern Student-Athlete and Staff Amenities
- Amenities include a renovated locker room, player's lounge, training room, batting cages, etc.
- New Locker Room, Team Lounge, Film Room, Equipment Room, Visiting Team Locker Room, Coaches Locker Room, Coaches Offices, Conference Room and Reception Area
- Increased Seating Capacity
- This will allow for a permanent seating capacity, which will now all be chairbacks, to increase between from 1,431 to approximately 2,280 seats, but will still leave seating areas in non-traditional places like a berm for an overall capacity of approximately 2,800.
- Multiple Seating & Game Experience Options
- Fans will have the ability to purchase chairbacks
- Enhanced Fan Experience
- All the aforementioned amenities above will make for a much better fan experience for Gator Nation
- ALSO: In conjunction with the renovation at KSP Softball Stadium and with the Football Training Complex moving to the current baseball stadium location, the UAA will relocate its maintenance department from its current location. Costs for relocating the maintenance department and the infrastructure costs associated with the project is estimated at $4 million.
About Populous
Populous is a global architecture and design firm that designs the places where people love to be together, like Yankee Stadium, the London Olympics, and the Super Bowl. Over the last 35 years, the firm has designed more than 2,500 projects worth $40 billion across emerging and established markets. Populous' comprehensive services include architecture, interior design, event planning and overlay, branded environments, wayfinding and graphics, planning and urban design, landscape architecture, aviation and transport design, hotels and hospitality, and sustainable design consulting. Populous has 14 offices on four continents with regional centers in Kansas City, London and Brisbane.
For more information visit www.populous.com, follow @Populous on Twitter or contact Rich Polzin at Rich.Polzin@populous.com.
About Walker Architects
Walker Architects is an experienced group of creative leaders and craftspeople. We design buildings not for ourselves or awards but for people and places with complex needs. We've done our job if the design of a space exceeds its potential. Through empathy, humility and passion, we're able to connect with clients on a deep level, resulting in useful, smart and transformative design.
The creative design team at Walker Architects makes old spaces new, new spaces timeless, and thinks beyond the limits of architecture. Walker Architects is focused on building relationships throughout the communities where we work. We believe in the team approach and collaborate with owners, user groups and other professionals to deliver practical, budget conscious solutions with lasting appeal. Our clients know us as the architect of choice for quality design and exceptional customer service.
For more information visit http://walker-arch.com/ or contact Andrea Cellini at acellini@walker-arch.com.
About Scorpio Corporation
The
D.E. Scorpio Corporation is a devoted and seasoned team of construction professionals who build to enliven communities and beautify cities. Scorpio has a long history of delivering superior quality and exceptional service on challenging projects of varying size, scope, complexity and budgets. The Scorpio team selected to oversee the renovations and expansion to the softball stadium has extensive experience delivering athletic facilities for UAA and other athletic organizations.
Visit website www.descorpiocorp.com and for more information please contact Jennifer Denault, Marketing Director- jennifer@descorpiocorp.com
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