The state Board of Regents gave the University of Iowa approval today (Monday) to study ways to update the training facilities for several sports. The Regents gave U-of-I athletic director Gary Barta permission to add the possible replacement of the indoor football practice facility built in 1985 to the department’s long-term plan. Barta says other sports are also using the facility and they need more space.
The regents also gave Barta permission to hire architects to look at adding additional space to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Barta says the arena is now used for men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling and volleyball — which leaves them with too little practice space. Barta says they want to put an addition on the arena which woul include several more practices courts. They also want to: renovate the office space; make improvements so it’s easier for fans to get in and out of the arena; add some enhanced VIP seating; add air conditioning, and expand the strength and conditioning area.
Barta says the improvements could cost anywhere between $25 million and $40 million — depending on what the architects recommend. Barta’s request was approved by the regents without comment.