Northwestern will finally begin construction on a roughly $220 million sports complex on the Evanston lakefront, after a series of big donations helped the university hit its fundraising goal for the project, according to Crain's. Hopefully a new facility helps Fitz and the Wildcats improve on last year's record. Named after repeat donors Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan, the new Ryan Fieldhouse will be a multipurpose facility for indoor football practice, intramurals and a variety of other events. Designed by Perkins + Will, the sleek facility will offer what appears to be pretty incredible views of the lake and Chicago skyline from the south. Renovation of the nearby soccer and lacrosse field and field hockey field, along with the creation of an outdoor football practice space, are also part of the plan. NU plans to file a permit request with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin work.
The new facility was announced in 2012, but wasn't feasible until a spate of recent donations. It's expected to be finished by next spring. According to The Daily Northwestern, the budget for the fieldhouse, which will also be used for the freshman convocation and Dance Marathon, the school's annual charity fundraiser, is likely to exceed the initial $220M estimate.
·Northwestern set to begin work on new lakefront sports complex [Crain's]
·Northwestern to file permit for Ryan Fieldhouse construction [Daily Northwestern]
·Previous Evanston coverage [Curbed Chicago]