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

  • iPark 87

    Building a Future-Focused Career and Technical Education Center

    A district superintendent shares his team's journey to aligning student passions with workforce demands, and why their new CTE center could be a model for districts nationwide.

  • Fayetteville State University Opens New Residence Hall

    Fayetteville State University (FSU) in Fayetteville, N.C., recently completed construction on a new $50-million residence hall, according to a news release. The university partnered with KWK/Jenkins • Peer Architects on the design of Bronco Pride Hall.

  • Construction Begins on East Austin CTE-Focused High School

    The Del Valle Independent School District recently announced that construction has begun on a new CTE-focused high school in Austin, Texas, according to a news release. Del Valle High School will measure in at 473,338 square feet and have the capacity for 2,400 students.

  • Beyond Four Walls

    Operable glass walls provide a dynamic solution for educational spaces. They align with today’s evolving teaching methods and adapt to the needs of modern learners. Beyond the functional versatility, movable glass walls offer clean, contemporary aesthetics, slim and unobtrusive profiles, and versatile configurations that cater to the evolving needs of students and educators alike.

Digital Edition