A proposal to build a second practice gym for Auburn basketball was approved at the Auburn University Board of Trustees meeting Friday morning.
This was the first step of the three-step approval process. The approval will allow Auburn University Facilities Management to begin the process of selecting an architect for the project, which will likely be at the April board meeting.
Originally, Auburn Arena was built with a main basketball court and a practice basketball court, with the intention that one team could use the main court while the other could use the practice court, according to the Associate Vice President for Facilities, Dan King.
Currently, though, the Auburn Arena’s main court is used as the competition venue for men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, women’s gymnastics and visiting team pre-game practice sessions.
The main court is often not available for practice, causing the men's and women’s basketball teams to have conflicting schedules.
The proposed practice space would construct a second practice gym, expand the arena, as well as renovate existing team support spaces. The addition and renovations would bring the facilities to Southeastern Conference competitive standards, according to King.
The project is to be funded by gift funds and bonds from donors, with the debt service on the bonds being covered by the Athletics Department.
The board also voted on final approval for the resolution to renovate the women’s basketball locker room. The estimated total cost of the project is $3 million, to be funded by bonds, with the Athletics Department covering the debt service on the funds.
The project was proposed to facilitate improved player recovery, player development and more competitive recruiting within the SEC and national peers. There will be a small bit of expansion, but renovations will stay within the existing facility.
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Destini Ambus, senior in journalism, pursuing a minor in sociology is the editor-in-chief of The Auburn Plainsman.
