Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

University of North Alabama to Revamp Athletics Facilities with New Stadium, Baseball Field

The University of North Alabama has broken ground on a new athletics construction project that will build the first dedicated stadium for its community of Florence, Ala. Set for completion in 2026 with a base cost of approximately $65 million, the Bank Independent Stadium will feature a seating capacity of more than 10,000, 360-degree fan concourse, premium tower with a new weight room, 13 suites, multipurpose stadium club, outdoor gathering areas, and more, with the ability for future expansion built in.

The university is working with program management firm HPM on the project, which will oversee budgeting, scheduling, design management, risk assessment, and contract negotiation, according to a news announcement.

"The start of construction of Bank Independent Stadium signifies a new chapter for UNA's athletic program and the City of Florence, and HPM is ecstatic to be part of this dynamic project," said Ben Henson, vice president of program development at HPM, in a statement. "Bank Independent Stadium will be a transformative addition to the university, ushering in a new era of growth for the school and bringing best-in-class recreational and entertainment offerings to the community."

In a concurrent project (also managed by HPM), the baseball field adjacent to the stadium and UNA Spring Sports Complex at Cox Creek will receive a number of upgrades, including a multipurpose turf field and track that will be available for academic, athletic, intramural, and community use. The reimagined baseball field will feature a state of-the-art playing surface, all-chairback seating concourse, video board, and outfield wall inspired by Fenway Park's historic "Green Monster."

"It is gratifying to witness the great excitement for this project, commented UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts, "and to note how it complements the growth and academic success of the institution as we approach our third century of offering educational excellence."

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Chartwells Launches Campus Dining Evaluation Framework

    Contract food-service management provider Chartwells Higher Education recently announced the launch of BLUEPRINT, according to a news release. The evaluation framework was designed to provide a data-driven and customizable roadmap towards optimizing campus dining services and, by extension, the student experience.

  • Surging Demand for Student Housing Fuels Major Campus Investment Opportunities

    University leaders throughout the U.S. are accelerating plans to modernize and expand student housing as enrollment stabilizes and demand for on-campus living rebounds. Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that total postsecondary enrollment is projected to grow through the end of the decade, with undergraduate enrollment alone expected to increase by more than 8 percent by 2030.

  • Stanford Completes Construction on Graduate School of Education Facility

    Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., recently announced the end of construction on a new home for its Graduate School of Education, according to a news release. The university partnered with McCarthy Building Companies on the 160,000-square-foot project, which involved two major renovations and one new construction effort.

  • 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.