Mercy University Breaks Ground On $19.5M Fieldhouse

DOBBS FERRY, NY — A new sports state of the art sports venue is taking shape along the Hudson River.

Mercy University has broken ground on a new $19.5 million fieldhouse on its Westchester Campus in Dobbs Ferry, a project the university said is part of its Momentum 2030 strategic plan. The 35,000-square-foot facility and related campus upgrades were approved by the Village of Irvington in February 2026.

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Mercy University President Susan L. Parish said the project is both tied to student life and the school's long-term plans.

"Breaking ground on our new fieldhouse represents not only our dedication to our students and community today, but our commitment to them for generations to come," Parish said. "This fieldhouse will be a space powered by community, creating a new environment for growth, exploration and celebrations that will bring us closer together."

The building will be named the Kenneth L. Bove Fieldhouse in honor of longtime supporter Ken Bove, president and CEO of DCW Media. Bove said his relationship with Mercy University goes back more than a decade.

"My relationship with Mercy University spans more than a decade, and throughout that time, I've had the privilege of witnessing its remarkable growth and evolution," Bove said. "What has always impressed me most is the university's unwavering commitment to its students and the opportunities it creates for them to succeed. I'm incredibly proud of the partnership we've built over the years, and having a building named in my honor is truly humbling. Mercy University has a very special place in my heart, and I look forward to continuing to support its mission and being part of its future for many years to come."

Designed in collaboration with Alloy Design Studio, the fieldhouse is planned as a center for student life, athletics, recreation and community gatherings. Mercy said it will include a 21,000-square-foot multi-use event floor with three full courts for tennis, pickleball, volleyball and basketball, along with space for campus open houses and student activities. Plans also call for a mezzanine indoor walking and running track, a two-story program wing with gathering areas, locker rooms, offices and meeting spaces, and a new campus quad and riverfront plaza connected to the Metro-North train path.

The university said sustainable design features will include natural daylighting, water-conserving fixtures, building management systems and landscaping with native tree plantings developed with arborists and environmental consultants.

"This project is about more than just a building; it's about creating a vibrant hub for connection; a signature destination and a crossroads for student experiences," said Thomas Simmonds, senior vice president for Capital Planning at Mercy University. "For Mercy, these improvements are central to building a strong sense of belonging that helps us attract and retain students. For our neighbors in Dobbs Ferry and Irvington, it strengthens our partnership by creating a welcoming environment that serves as a true community resource."

Mercy said the first phase now underway includes relocated parking areas, new outdoor recreation courts, pedestrian pathways and landscape improvements in the north-central campus, with completion scheduled for December. Construction of the fieldhouse building and adjacent riverfront sitework will follow immediately, and the full project is expected to be completed in 2028.