In a major step forward for its athletic facilities, the University of Vermont is set to begin construction on its Mutli-Purpose Center project.
UVM officials have been planning a major project that should yield improved facilities for the school’s basketball and hockey programs. Under the current plans, a new arena known as the Tarrant Center will be constructed for men’s and women’s basketball. Hockey’s Gutterson Fieldhouse will receive major renovations, while a new three-story shared space will be constructed between it and the new Tarrant Center.
The $95 million project is about to get underway, as UVM announced during a ceremony on Saturday that construction is slated to begin as soon as this week. More from the Burlington Free Press:
“With several of our highest-level donors to the project, foundation volunteers, and trustees in town this week, we thought it would be a great opportunity to celebrate the start of construction,” UVM athletic director Jeff Schulman said. “We’re looking forward to another event later this summer that will be a community-wide celebration of the project’s beginning and of the broad philanthropic support that it has and continues to receive.”
A $4 million gift from Chuck Davis, a 1972 UVM graduate, and his wife Marna paved the way for Saturday’s ceremony, the news release stated. The donation pushed the UVM Foundation over the initial $30 million fundraising goal mandated by the Board of Trustees, which gave its final endorsement earlier in the morning for construction to move forward.
The UVM Foundation and athletic department have raised over $32 million for the project, which is also being funded through other institutional sources.
Saturday’s news brings to an end years of anticipation for UVM’s dream of an updated multi-purpose facility at 97 Spear Street. The highlights of the $95 million project will include a new home for the men’s and women’s basketball programs called the Tarrant Center, extensive renovations to iconic Gutterson and a three-story shared space between the two that will feature concourses, restrooms, concessions and other amenities.
Patrick Gym, the current home of UVM’s basketball programs, will be converted into a recreational space that serves the general student body. Renovations to Gutterson Fieldhouse and construction of the new arena is expected to take 18-to-24 months, with the complete project expected to wrap up in three years.
Rendering courtesy University of Vermont athletics.
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