PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Memorial Hall, SUNY Plattsburgh's key facility for varsity athletics and student recreation, is slated for major renovations, with the new facilities, equipment and space set to transform training opportunities for athletes and fitness options for students and the wider community.
Construction on the multimillion dollar project, currently in the design phase, will begin in fall 2019.
"This is a game-changing project for all of our programs and comes at an exciting time here in Cardinal Country," said Mike Howard, SUNY Plattsburgh's director of intercollegiate athletics and recreation. "The scope of this project is comprehensive and transforming."
"The new Memorial Hall will play a critical role in allowing us to continue the momentum we have built over the past few years, which has included a major rebranding effort, the addition of women's lacrosse, increased fitness and recreation programming, greater sponsorship funding and continued athletic excellence on both the conference and national levels."
The complete renovation of the existing Memorial Hall will maximize the use of space within the building's current footprint.
Planned upgrades and enhancements over the course of the multi-year project include:
- Renovated Fitness Center that will increase to more than 12,000 square feet in size
- Strength and conditioning facility for varsity student-athletes
- Renovated varsity athletics gymnasium to be used by the varsity volleyball and basketball teams
- New recreation gymnasium and a climbing wall
- New locker rooms and team room space
- New offices for athletics staff
- Sports medicine suite for varsity athletics that will include a new treatment and rehab space
- New doctor's office and a new hydro room
- Multipurpose and group activity areas
- Expanded academic offices and classrooms for the Fitness and Wellness program
- Remodeled entrance and lobby area that will be a welcoming social space
With the renovations, the Memorial Hall pool, closed this summer for repairs but re-opening in August, will permanently close in May 2019. Taking the pool offline during the first phase of renovation will provide space to use and operate building functions as wider renovations begin and continue.
Renovations must be within the current building footprint due to state guidelines covering funding, and a modern, competitive pool cannot be constructed in the current space. Additionally, alternate use of the former pool space as a recreation gym will offset the loss of open recreation space in Sibley Hall, now occupied by the Center for Neurobehavioral Health.
HOLT Architects, a firm based in Ithaca, N.Y., is serving as the principal architect for the project, which is financed by the New York State University Construction Fund.
