Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Fairfield Demolishes Alumni Hall to Prep for New Construction

  • By Matt Jones
  • 04/28/21

On Monday, April 26, one of the oldest buildings on the campus of Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn., was demolished to make room for a new construction project in progress. Alumni Hall, a sports arena that played home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams and also served as a concert venue, came down in preparation for a new Arena and Convention Center.

Alumni Hall was built in 1959. The original architect, John Phelan, was present and made one last pass through the hallways alongside other university officials like the University President, Director of Athletics, and the men’s basketball coach. “It’s a little emotional,” he said. “It’s not going to be there anymore.” It was among the first pre-stressed concrete buildings, and according to Fairfield University archives, the 11 pre-cast arches that formed the curved roof set a record at the time.

Construction began this spring on an updated Arena and Convention Center. The arena will hold 3,500 seats (compared to the previous building’s 2,479) and cover 85,000 square feet. It will feature a broadcast and media center, lounge areas, and luxury seating, and it will provide a distinct upgrade to the home-game experience for the school’s basketball fans.

 The new facility comes with a price tag of $45 million and was designed by Centerbrook Architects. It’s scheduled for completion by the end of 2022.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Designing the Bridge Between Inclusivity and Independence in K–12 Schools

    Fostering independence is fundamental to learning and development for K–12 students. It offers many proven benefits, such as enhanced confidence, problem-solving, decision-making, and social skills. However, this foundational objective loses its impact if it’s not accessible and adaptable to all students. Inclusivity plays a critical role in cultivating independence and healthy autonomy for students, fostering positive student learning outcomes by uniting pedagogy with the physical learning environment.

  • Minnesota District Completes Renovations to 3 Schools

    South Washington County Schools in Woodbury, Minn., recently completed major renovation projects to three of its schools, according to a news release. The district partnered with Kraus-Anderson for construction services, and the upgrades were part of a larger referendum that voters approved in fall 2024.

  • Western Kentucky University Breaks Ground on First Phase of $350M Student Housing Project

    Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green, Ky., recently broke ground on the first phase of a $350-million student housing initiative, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Gilbane Development through a public-private partnership (P3) to replace aging residence halls and modernize on-campus living accommodations.

  • Sam Houston State University Completes Athletic Stadium Renovations

    Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, recently announced the reopening of Elliott T. Bowers Stadium after an extensive renovation project, according to a news release. The university partnered with Stantec and DLR Group for the project’s design.