When Missouri State University broke ground for the new $67 million JQH Arena in December of 2006, university officials promised that the project would be on time and on budget. Today, university officials reported that the project is on time – and that the project is more than $1 million under budget.
When Missouri State University broke ground for the new $67 million JQH Arena in December of 2006, university officials promised that the project would be on time and on budget. Today, university officials reported that the project is on time – and that the project is more than $1 million under budget.
As a result of being under budget, Missouri State University President Michael T. Nietzel has authorized funding some “Tier II” items that were on hold, pending a review of the budget. Nietzel has authorized the purchase of some additional furniture and equipment, additional landscaping, and beginning the design for the shelled space that will eventually serve as home team locker rooms and offices for the two basketball teams and athletics administrators when private funding becomes available.
“Obvious, this is very gratifying news,” said Nietzel. “Staying within the budget was not an accident; rather it is the result of the hard work and oversight of many people, including Greg Burris, Doug Sampson and other university employees working on the project, as well as the construction manager for the project, J.E. Dunn, and the hundreds of workers who have built this structure and the suppliers who have been the source of our materials.
“Everyone involved in this project has been committed to designing and building a first-rate facility within the established budget. It appears both goals have been accomplished, thanks to their diligence with the design, the construction and the budget.”
University officials also announced that a series of events will occur in the facility in early November.
On Oct. 24, J.E. Dunn will officially turn JQH Arena over to the university. The facility will be “substantially complete” at that time with final touches to be added and/or completed over the next few months.
A week after the university takes over the building, a series of special events begin. On Nov. 1, following the Lady Bears exhibition game in Hammons Student Center, the university will host a reception and open house for Missouri State students and their parents. That will be the first of several special events scheduled in the new arena through the first 15 days of November for suite holders, major donors and others. The dates and times of these events will be announced later this month. The inaugural basketball games in JQH Arena are Saturday, Nov. 22 (Bears vs. Arkansas) and Sunday, Nov. 23 (Lady Bears vs. Arkansas State).
The new $67 million JQH Arena is named for John Q. Hammons in recognition of his $30 million gift. The facility will have more than 11,000 seats, a grand entrance, 24 private suites, more than 100 loge seats, 55 courtside seats, a Hall of Fame, a team souvenir store and a ticket office. JQH Arena is located just east of Hammons Student Center, with a connecting corridor between the facilities. Ground-breaking for the project was Dec. 21, 2006.
