PC Construction Awarded $25 Million Design-Build Project for UNH Athletics

  • 10/21/14

DURHAM, NH — After a comprehensive selection process, the University of New Hampshire has chosen the design-build team of Populous, Lavallee Brensinger Architects, and PC Construction for the new $25 million athletic complex slated to open in the summer of 2016.

The new four-story stadium will feature tiered seating for 11,500 and include dedicated levels for concessions and restrooms, a president’s suite, press and club boxes with a common multi-purpose stadium club room, a gateway entry with ticket sales building, and a pedestrian concourse. The project will be built to UNH’s high sustainability requirements, and meet the standards associated with a LEED Silver facility.

Lavallee Brensinger will serve as the architect of record, and brings its long-standing relationship with the University to the table. Among numerous projects with UNH over the past decade, Lavallee Brensinger most recently completed the lighting and grandstand renovations to Cowell Stadium this summer. They teamed with Populous to design the Verizon Wireless Arena in 2001, and have worked with PC Construction on numerous education, corporate, and healthcare projects throughout the northeast region.

Populous, a sports facility design firm, brings a depth and breadth of experience that has been tested and proven worldwide. In particular, Populous is recognized for its focus on designing spaces as steadfast, enduring landmarks within their communities.

PC Construction of Portland, ME, has partnered on many projects for the University System of New Hampshire, and most recently completed the 115,000-square-foot LEED Gold Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics on the University of New Hampshire campus. Their extensive education construction experience is demonstrated on colleges and universities across New England.

“We are very excited by the selection of Populous-LBA-PC Construction for the design and build out of the stadium,” says UNH Director of Athletics Mary Scarano.

The design and construction team echo Mary’s sentiments. Jim Swords, principal at Populous, calls it “an incredible opportunity to create momentum, capture tradition and construct a building that will play an integral role in shaping the experience for fans, students, alumni and players for decades to come.”

According to Chris Drobat, President of Lavallee Brensinger Architects, “this facility will be a showpiece of UNH Wildcats Athletics, and indicative of the quality and strength of this growing program for all to enjoy.”

Says Jay Fayette, senior vice president of PC Construction, “We are thrilled to be back on UNH’s vibrant campus. This long-awaited stadium will offer the ultimate fan experience, and provide the entire UNH community with a facility befitting the caliber of its athletics.”

The official groundbreaking for the stadium is scheduled for the spring of 2015. The new facility will open in time to host the University’s 2016 football season home opener.

“This project might be long overdue but the wait will be worth it,” Scarano says. “The facility is going to be something that everyone will be proud of. UNH will ultimately have one of the best facilities in the nation as it relates to our competition. We will start to market the facility soon, and I know people will be engaged in being a part of an exciting future.”

For more information, visit www.UNHStadium.com.

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