Plans for a new Liberty arena have been approved by the Lynchburg City Council, allowing Liberty University to move forward with the project.
As announced back in March, Liberty University is planning to construct a new arena that will host men’s and women’s basketball, as well as volleyball. Those programs currently play at the larger Vines Center, but the new arena will offer a more intimate atmosphere for these sports with a seating capacity of up to 4,500.
Lynchburg’s planning commission recommended approval for the project last month, and the city council voted unanimously on Tuesday to give its okay to the arena. As it plans for the new facility, Liberty is hoping that it will provide a boost to its basketball and volleyball programs. More from The News & Advance:
No one spoke during a public hearing for the facility, which LU plans to use mainly for basketball and volleyball games. Dan Deter, vice president of major construction for LU, said the new facility will help create a “home court atmosphere.”
“We are just trying to overall elevate our athletics and this is going to be a key part of getting our basketball and volleyball programs up,” he continued….
Rachel Frischeisen, a city planner, said current road construction, including a new roundabout onto U.S. 460 and Odd Fellows Road updates, should improve traffic flow in the area. Additionally, she said a traffic study will be conducted in the fall when students return to campus to “better predict” how the proposed facility will impact traffic in the area.
“If the study shows deterioration in the levels of service, the university will have to do further traffic improvements to negate that degradation,” she added.
The new Liberty arena will be constructed adjacent to the Vines Center. After the new arena opens, the Vines Center will remain in use for larger events, such as convocation.
Rendering courtesy Liberty University.
