Longwood University Completes Work on Joan Perry Brock Center

Longwood University in Farmville, Va., recently announced that construction work is complete on the Joan Perry Brock Center, according to a news release. The arena and convocation center measures in at 72,000 square feet, has a seating capacity of 3,020, and will play home to the university’s basketball program. It will also provide the campus with a large gathering space for academic and cultural events. The district partnered with Skanska USA for the facility’s construction.

The university and Skanska have worked together on a number or projects, including the construction of the 84,000-square-foot Upchurch University Center and ten new tennis courts. In recognition of the extended relationship, the university also announced that it will name the lobby of the new Joan Perry Brock Center in honor of Skanska.

“This achievement marks another milestone in Skanska’s longstanding partnership with Longwood University and reaffirms our commitment to excellence in construction and campus development,” said Mark Balling, executive vice president for Skanska’s Virginia and North Carolina building operations. “The naming of the lobby in Skanska’s honor serves as a testament to the trust and confidence placed in our team, and we look forward to future collaborations to bring more innovative projects to light.”

The university held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility on Friday, Aug. 25, in front of the building’s white façade, the news release reports. The building was designed to fit in with the surrounding Jeffersonian architecture in the historic corner of campus—both aesthetically and in terms of size.

“Our partnership with Skanska has been transformative,” said W. Taylor Reveley IV, Longwood University President. “The spaces they have constructed on campus are at the center of the residential academic experience, and are well-loved by students, staff, and visitors.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.

  • UCNJ Launches $30M Modernization of Physical Education Center

    The Union College of Union County (UCNJ) in Cranford, N.J., recently broke ground on a new $30-million modernization project for its Physical Education Center (PECK), according to a news release. The college partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the project’s design, transitioning the existing 42,000-square-foot structure into a campus hub for student athletics and campus life.

  • Spaces4Learning Launches 2026 Education Design Showcase Awards

    Spaces4Learning has opened submissions for the 2026 Education Design Showcase! The awards program launched in 1999 with the goal of celebrating innovative, practical solutions in the planning, design, and construction of K–12 and higher-education facilities. EDS recognizes new developments that help achieve optimal learning environments, as well as the architecture firms that brought the ideas to life.

  • North Texas School District Completes Third New Elementary School

    The Denton Independent School District in Dallas, Texas, recently finished construction on its third prototype design elementary school, Reeves Elementary, according to a news release.

Digital Edition