Several renovation and expansion projects to athletic centers at Missouri State University were approved by the MSU Board of Governors during its meeting Feb. 16.
The projects call for improvements to Hammons Student Center, renovating a locker room for the football program, a training facility for baseball and replacing artificial turf at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium, home of the soccer and track and field teams.
Hammons Student Center
A bid of $1,294,000 from CB-GC, LLC was accepted for renovations to Hammons Student Center. The $2.7 million project will offer space for the athletics department and the department of kinesiology, according to documentation provided to board members.
It calls for converting the building’s west gym storage areas into a locker room for new sports, STUNT and acrobatics and tumbling, as well as a weight room.
Several bid alternates were accepted; those will provide flooring replacements, wall finishing, more lighting and acoustic ceiling tiles. The base bid, before the alternates, was for $760,000.
Part of the project calls for removing bleachers, mercury abatement and installation of card readers and storage. Funding comes from the university's annual budget.
Located behind Great Southern Bank Arena to the west, Hammons Student Center hosts volleyball, swimming, concerts and other community events, as well as swimming, racquetball and other activities for students and faculty.
Construction is expected to be completed for the fall 2024 semester.
Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium
A bid of $689,488 was accepted from Midwest Synthetic Turf Professionals to replace the playing surface at Allison South Stadium, located south of Great Southern Bank Arena. The total project cost is $820,000, and will come from Missouri State's annual budget.
The project calls for a 52-ounce, 2-inch pile height turf, as well as all soccer marking and sideline lettering on the playing field. The existing turf will be removed and disposed, while rubber from the old turf will be retained for use in the new turf.
Missouri State’s soccer programs and women’s track and field team compete at the stadium. It offers a nine-lane track and pits for high jump, triple jump and long jump. It has seating for 1,500 spectators and a double-sided video board.
Baseball training facility to be renovated
A training center for the Bears baseball team will soon be renovated.
The board of governors approved a contract worth CB-GC, LLC to renovate the facility for a bid of $247,944, to be paid from private funds, according to documentation. It is located at Hammons Field, located at 955 E. Trafficway St. in downtown Springfield.
The project calls for upgrading about 7,444 square feet of the center. It includes improvements to the weight room, expansion of a training room, a classroom and two offices. Work is to be completed by the end of the spring semester.
Renovation of football locker room planned
Hood-Rich Architecture was hired to design a renovation for a locker room at Forsythe Athletics Center used by the football program. The firm was hired with a bid of $279,927, to be paid from private funds.
According to board documentation, the project calls for relocating the primary entrance, improving mechanical systems and upgrading the space with the addition of a lobby and team lounge. The west restroom and shower area will also be enlarged, and some hallways will be redesigned to improve the team’s presence in the building.
Hood-Rich was chosen because of past experience with construction on campus, according to the documentation.
