University of Arkansas athletics director Jeff Long introduced a tentative plan to build a new 80,000-square foot football operations center Wednesday.
Under the proposed plan, the new facility will be located south of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium where a pair of outdoor practice fields are currently located. The new building would connect to the Walker Indoor Pavilion and would cost anywhere from $24 million to $35 million to build, Long said.
The new facility would include new coaches offices, locker rooms, team meeting rooms, training rooms, equipment rooms, lounges, a study area and football museum. New “elevated” outdoor practice fields would be built over the top of Lot 67, south of the Walker Pavilion where George Cole Field was once located.
By choosing to build the proposed facility on the south side of the football stadium, Long said it leaves the possibility to expand seating on the north side, though no plans were given to do so.
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has donated $10 million to the project, Long said, as a “challenge grant.” Long said another $2 million has been given in private donations and all costs for the proposed facility would be raised through donations.
Long said the time table to begin building the new football center is unclear, but hopes to begin so in the next year. The time to complete the facility once ground is broken will be approximately 18 months. Once completed, the Broyles Athletic Center will house administrative offices only.
Long also introduced a tentative rendering for the UA’s athletics master plan. A new basketball practice facility and new indoor baseball practice facility would be included under the current plan, with the possibility to tear down Barnhill Arena and replace it with a new arena that would seat around 5,000 people.
Among the other sports that would benefit from the master plan are track and field, softball and tennis.
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Awesome!! Granted I’m not the one chipping in the other 15 mil, but I think this is a great reinvestment into the biggest money maker the school has. If recruits love our facilities now this will only add to that. Go Hogs! I say well worth the money especially if it helps to keep CBP here.
This is nice, but they have to do something about the parking. I would not want Barnhill torn down. Why would we want something with less seats? That stadium isn’t in the worst shape, either. Seems like the money could be better spent.
Ron,
I was wondering the same thing. Why replace a 9,000 seat capacity arena with a 5,000 capacity?
Anyhow, there may be more to it than what i’m initially seeing.
On the other hand, I love the idea of building a new football practice facility, locker rooms and the coaches offices.
This will definately enhance our recruiting efforts even more.
Leaving room to possibly expand seating on the north side of the stadium was a great idea.
Things are looking really great for the future of Razorback football.
GO HOGS GO, BABY!!!!!
Clear statement of what matters most in AR, one of the least wealthy states in the union.
Come on Jerry Jones…pony up that 15 mil and consider it done.
Dont think mister Jerry has money to lend right now
It matters the most because it makes the most!! Not to mention football and basketball help to form the entire identity of a university. Football pays for many many unseen things outside of just football and even sports in general. Much the same as how a successful business must reinvest profits to continue to succeed and grow the major revenue producing sports must do the same Walter.
I think 5,000 would be amazing! Think of Cameron Indoor and the Blue Devils… the games could get really loud.
I think the money contemplated to be spent on replacing Barnhill Arena could be better spent on investing in the SEC Referee Foundation. If we are to compete in the SEC; it is time we get on a level playing field with the likes of Florida, Alabama, and Auburn to get our fair share of calls. No conspiracy theory here, but I have watched the Hogs for a long time and I am still waiting to see one of these sp called controversial calls go our way and the th outrage ois on how Arkansas got a break? Somebody tell me a meaningful game when a call went our way in SEC Football. Until then, I am serious; let’s get funds to the SEC officials as a legitimate donation.
Who’s name does the AD wish to put on this new facility – is my name in the mix? – he’s certainly contacted me, in so many pleasant ways, to contribute. (And, I gave a small share…)
Just hope it doesn’t end up being – “The Jeff Long Monument”.
Did that say that they are thinking about tearing down Barnhill?????
I’d certainly need to know more of the “over-all” benefits to tearing down the Barn and erecting something smaller before I can get on board with that idea.
Barn Hill is the World largest Womens volleyball/ gymnastics venue, and is no longer used for Basketball games. It must be tough to sell out the womens volleyball games. The cost of operations vs. ticket sales, and the fact that the arena was designed for basketball not the current use, would be large factors in tearing it down. Also the location of Barn Hill in relation to the Football stadium is also a factor. A gymnastic specific arena of 5000 seats would better suit the needs of the university.
Yeah, I walk by Barnhill every day on campus and have attended a few gymnastics meets there. It looks completely out of place and doesn’t completely fit the needs of the sports it is serving. It’s been a great facility, but it’s time for it to go.
Thats cool what does the inside of it look like. it has to be off the wall. must be off the wall. like Razorback stadium off the wall make it cooler than any kind of stadium in the nation and world for that matter. BIG TIME!!!
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