Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University breaks ground on Saluki Way
03/03/2009 | 12:00:00 | General
March 3, 2009
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Amid great fanfare, Southern Illinois University broke ground Tuesday on its $83 million Saluki Way facilities project.
"This a day many of you in here thought would never happen," said Saluki Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Reis, who was master of ceremonies. "But this is the day. We are getting a new stadium, and we are getting a renovated arena."
The Saluki marching band led a procession of University administrators into an outdoor tent on the east side of SIU Arena, where several hundred fans, University employees and students helped celebrate the event.
"I want to show my gratitude to the general student body," said Saluki senior women's basketball player Erica Smith. "The student body is making a great contribution to Saluki Way through student fees. I want all of the students to be aware of the great effect they will have on all of the student-athletes to come."
Featured speakers included President Glenn Poshard, Chancellor Samuel Goldman, Director of Athletics Mario Moccia, City of Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole, Chairman of the SIU Board of Trustees Roger Tedrick and steering committee member Lisa Short.
Saluki Way, which features a new football stadium, arena renovation and a new team complex, has been in the planning stages for more than three years. To date, the University has raised approximately $70 million through public and private sources. Moccia announced that Saluki Way has received a $2 million gift from a donor who wished to remain anonymous.
"We've got a long way to go from a fundraising standpoint," said Moccia. "This is a major milestone in the project, but we must, and we will continue to work harder than ever until the project is fully funded, and that's a guarantee."
The football stadium will have a horseshoe-shaped construction and seat approximately 15,000. Amenities will include a minimum of 440 chairback seats, a two-story press box with at least eight suites and a club room, plus berm seating and a scoreboard with video capabilities in the north endzone. The field itself will be a state-of-the-art synthetic grass surface.
"This stadium is only one part of the plan that emphasizes a balance between academic, athletic and student services facilities," Poshard noted.
The renovations to SIU Arena will include entirely new seating, with approximately 1,200 additional chairback seats than the existing arena. The current upper bowl bleachers will be replaced with a new permanent seating system. In addition, an entire upper concourse will be constructed and feature new concessions, restrooms and a Saluki Team Store. An interior graphics package and a deluxe video board will enhance the fan experience. Seating capacity in the renovated arena will be approximately 8,600.
"I support our university in this vital project, because we understand the importance of this project and what it will do for our students, employees and the communities we serve," Tedrick said. "This will build brighter futures. That legacy, that ongoing commitment is what we're here to celebrate today."
The 50,000-square foot team complex will house the football and basketball teams. Each sport will have new offices, locker roooms, player lounges, a conference room and meeting rooms. At 5,000 square feet, the football locker room will be double that of the current locker room. In addition, the team complex will feature a 115-seat, theater-style auditorium, an athletic training room, video classrooms and athletic equipment room.
"Accepting the advantages of having this University in our back yard, and having the events that will come through these athletic fields and facilities, and through all of the programs that serve all of the students at SIU, we have to make good on our obligation and that is giving back to the institution," said Cole.
Actual construction on the project is slated to begin later this week and will be completed in time for the 2010-11 seasons. Construction on the stadium, arena and team complex will take place simultaneously and will not interfere with playing schedules next season.
The design architect for the project is 360 Architecture with local assistance from Image Architects of Carbondale. Construction management will be handled by J.E. Dunn, based out of Kansas City, Mo., and Holland Construction, based out of Swansee, Ill. Saluki Way is expected to employ hundreds of local workers with more than 70 percent of the construction contracts to date awarded to local firms.
"Saluki Way will have a dramatic short and long term value for the university, the city of Carbondale and for our region," said Goldman. "This is both a shovel-ready undertaking, and more importantly, it's an economic shot in the arm. A very local stimulus package that we can be proud of."
Added Goldman, "This University is moving forward. Athletics represent an important thread in the fabric of our University, but we are far more than athletics. What we are doing now will generate dividends for years to come and insuring the vitality of SIUC and our region. I am sure that you will agree with me that this vitality is something that we are all proud of and will continue for a long, long time."
