2018 will see the completion of a new arena for volleyball and wrestling, as well as a renovation of IU’s 18-hole championship golf course, after both projects were approved Friday.
The IU Board of Trustees approved renovation projects at six IU campuses at Friday’s meeting of the Facilities and Auxiliaries.
IU vice president for capital planning and facilities, Thomas A. Morrison, presented the request for design approvals for multiple projects on the Bloomington campus. The board approved renovations to Ballantine Hall, the geology building and the IU golf course along with a design approval for the new arena.
At the Board of Trustees most recent meeting, Morrison presented the design approval for a new indoor arena specifically built for the volleyball and wrestling team. Morrison said the 3,000-seat arena will be constructed on the corner of 17th and Fee Lane.
“We are responsible for all of the properties, all the buildings and therefore all the capital projects that go along with building or renovating of new space,” Morrison said. “The board is required to approve any large capital project. They are also charged with approving designs for new buildings and that’s what we were taking to them this time, the design of the volleyball and wrestling arena, but also the approval of the renovation projects.”
The new arena is designed to be more suitable for both teams.
Morrison also said both teams will benefit more in this new arena because the athletes will be closer to the other athletic facilities. The location will allow students the chance to attend more sporting events since the new building will be closer to the campus and dorms.
The renovation of the golf course is set to begin in the fall of 2017 and is expected to be completed around September 2018.
Along with reconfiguring the existing 18-hole course and nine-hole par-3 course, a new clubhouse and health facility will be built.
Morrison said the par-3 course and the current 18-hole course will be resigned into a new 18-hole championship course and driving range. The new facility will include a distinctive course able to host tournament play and will remain open to the public and IU students, faculty and staff following the renovation.
