Davidson College Announces Plans For New Athletic Facilities

DAVIDSON, NC — Davidson College announced on Thursday tentative plans for several new athletic facilities, including a new football stadium and fieldhouse, and said the project would cost $45 million. The school said it has commitments of $16 million thus far.

According to a release, the new stadium adjacent to the Carol Grotnes Belk Turf Field would serve as the home for the Wildcats' football and lacrosse programs. The stadium would feature a new continuous seating concourse, state-of-the-art videoboard and improved fan amenities.

Meanwhile, inside new fieldhouse would be a premier sports performance center for all sports, an athletic training room and locker rooms for football, lacrosse and hockey.

The project also calls for the track facilities at Richardson Stadium to be upgraded - allowing Davidson to host meets and events - and include new locker rooms, a cardio studio and other wellness opportunities for students not involved in athletics.

Davidson said it has hired Odell Associates to serve as the architectural firm for the project. The school said construction could begin as early as next summer, though that date depends on progress in fundraising and design. The athletic department said the project is estimated to take two years.

"Davidson Athletics is positioned for growth and continued excellence thanks to the exceptional scholar-athletes, coaching staffs and donors, and so many others, who believe so deeply in our mission to do athletics right," said Chris Clunie, Davidson's athletic director.

Clunie continued: "Our collective investment in new and improved facilities demonstrates the role of Division I athletics in the footprint of this institution—we are committed to leadership, service and impact academically, athletically and in the community. I am excited by what these enhancements will bring to the Davidson College community and look forward to taking this next transformational step with Davidson Athletics."

According to the release, school officials began discussing facility developments in 2018, and conducted a needs assessment in order to identify opportunities for updates.

The school noted that nearly one in four Davidson College students competes in Division I sports. According to officials, the new facilities "align with the college's commitment to providing a first-class experience for scholar-athletes, with access extended to the entire student body, faculty and staff."

People interested in learning more about the plans for new facilities, and those interested in discussing donating to the project, are asked to contact Brandon McCladdie, director of athletic development, at 704-894-2657 or via email at brmccladdie@davidson.edu.