Oklahoma State University Athletics
University Officials Break Ground for New Athletic Center
June 21, 1999 | General
January 13, 1999
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State University officials broke ground Tuesday on its newest athletic facility, calling it the largest and most ambitious capital project in the history of the university.
The OSU Athletic Center, which will be the home of a new Gallagher-Iba Arena, is scheduled for completion for the 2000-2001 seasons.
OSU Athletics Director Terry Don Phillips and President James Halligan were among those participating in the groundbreaking ceremonies Tuesday afternoon.
"The construction of this Athletic Center is the largest, most ambitious, and perhaps most visible capital project in the history of our great university," Phillips said. "With this state of the art facility, we will build on the proud tradition of Gallagher-Iba Arena and create a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive athletic facility that will launch us into the 21st Century."
A new and expanded Gallagher-Iba Arena is just part of the new Athletic Center. With a seating capacity exceeding 13,000, the new arena, in fact, the entire facility, will be among the finest in the nation.
Nearly 11,000 of the more than 13,000 seats in the expanded arena have already been reserved. Anyone interested in securing tickets for the Cowboy Basketball in the 2000-2001 season and beyond, should call (405) 744-7301 for details.
"I can honestly say that in less than two years we will open the doors on one of the finest athletic facilities in the Big 12 Conference, if not the country," Phillips said.
The $51 million facility will encompass the existing football coaches building and provide skybox seating overlooking both Lewis Field and the basketball court. In addition to expanded offices, training facilities for all sports, weight rooms, recruiting areas, practice spaces, new wrestling facilities and an academic counseling center will be included.
Also included in the new facility will be Heritage Hall, an expansive area that will document and pay tribute to Oklahoma State's outstanding athletic tradition.
The OSU Athletic Center was designed by Rosser International in Atlanta with Gary Sparks of Gary Sparks Companies in Tulsa serving as the coordinating architect. The general contractor for the project is Manhattan Construction.
Phillips said the Athletic Center project would not have been possible without the support of many groups.
"We would not be breaking ground on this historic project without the generous contributions and support of countless individuals," he said. "I would like to personally thank the OSU students who started the ball rolling, our donors who stepped forward and believed in this project, our loyal season ticket holders who are behind our teams 100 percent, plus the city of Stillwater for sharing our dream."
The enormity of the project is exemplified by the fact that the new Gallagher- Iba Arena will occupy 171,402 square feet and the total size of the project is 366,438 square feet.
The construction cost for the Athletic Center is $111.56 per square foot. The cost of the arena portion of the project is $19,123,093 or $1,471.00 per seat, based on 13,000 seats.
Phillips said the Athletic Center is just the first step toward the total development of OSU's athletic facilities.
"Today's groundbreaking is a sign of great things to come for OSU and our athletic programs," he said. "But, keep in mind this is only a step toward the future. It is not the end. We must, and will, continue to develop our facilities beyond the Athletic Center. It has been said 'the future is not something we enter, it is something we create.' As we break ground on this Athletic Center, the future we are creating for Oklahoma State is very bright indeed."
Oklahoma State University Athletic Center
Fast Facts
Designer: Rosser International, Atlanta, Georgia Architectural Coordination: Gary Sparks Companies, Tulsa, Okla. General Contractor: Manhattan Construction Official Groundbreaking: January 12, 1999 Anticipated Completion Date: December, 2000 Total project size: 366,438 square feet
Seats in new Gallagher-Iba Arena: 13,000 Cost of the project: $51 million
