Yesterday, doors to the new Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center at the University of Arizona opened and celebrated with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Representatives from the University of Arizona, key stakeholders, Mortenson | BWS | HOK, the design-builder on the project, among others were in attendance. As home to Wildcat Athletics, the multi-use sports facility will provide safe, all-weather practice areas for football and other sports, as well as serve as an additional game day fan experience venue.

“We are continuously working hard to bring top-line enhancements to not only the university, student-athletes and fans, but also the community,” said Suzy Mason, the university’s senior associate athletic director. “We are thrilled today is here. Since the beginning, we have been looking forward to the opening of this facility. Not only will the facility be essential to recruiting, it also builds upon our unique game-day experience for players and fans alike.” 

Located across the street from Arizona Stadium, the $16.5 million climate-controlled facility includes a 90-yard artificial turf indoor football field with one end-zone, engaging graphics, modern player amenities and offices, as well as storage and support spaces for the Intercollegiate Athletics department. In addition, two 80-yard outdoor practice fields will be adjacent to the facility, equipped with large operable garage doors for efficient access. With its purposeful location, the new facility rounds out a unique athletic campus for the nearly 500 student-athletes at the University of Arizona.  

“We are proud to be a long-term partner with the University of Arizona and many others in Tucson as they continue to diversify and grow culturally and economically,” said Brian Fitzpatrick, director of operations at Mortenson. “It is rewarding to be a part of this transformation project on campus. Due to our successful partner relationships with BWS and our local trade partners, we were able to achieve the aggressive schedule.”

Mortenson is a leading national developer, design-builder and general contractor. The company’s resume includes the involvement of nearly $10bn of work in the SW United States in the past 5 years, including the new, in-progress stadium for the NFL Raiders team in Las Vegas, a number of corporate, sports, mission-critical and hospitality projects in the Phoenix metro, and significant renewable energy and infrastructure projects throughout the region.