UT athletic complex refitting

Published: 12/17/2013 - Updated: 1 minute ago

BY RYAN AUTULLO BLADE SPORTS WRITER

The University of Toledo opened a beautiful state of the art football complex in 1990, a structure with cool trappings making the Rockets the envy of less fortunate teams.

The facility is no longer beautiful or state of the art. No one envies it.

But wait until July when the university finishes pouring $5 million and about 10,000 square feet into the 23-year-old Larimer Athletic Complex. University officials on Tuesday released their renovation plans, which in one word can be described as bigger. There will be more space for meetings, studying, recruiting, weight training, hanging equipment, and decorations.

Weve outgrown the building, athletic director Mike OBrien told a room of alumni and friends of the university.

Construction will begin about Feb. 1, starting with inside remodeling. Modifications to the buildings exterior could begin in April weather permitting and should be completed by mid-July in time for fall camp. In the mean time, coaches will work from the Glass Bowl press tower. Weight room equipment will move across the street to the Health Education Center. Functions of the academic center will shift to the library.

About $2 million for the project still must be raised, but OBrien is confident.

We have a lot of asks out there that people are talking about within their own families and will get back to us, he said.

The Sullivans, Chuck and Jackie, pledged $1.5 million, earmarking half for the renovation and the other half to be used for coaching bonuses across all sports at the university. Among others who gave a major gift were Roy and Marcia Armes.

Link:
UT athletic complex refitting