Arkansas Tech University will host a dedication ceremony for the new multi-sport complex on its Russellville campus on Saturday, April 14.
The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the complex, which is located adjacent to the ATU baseball stadium on North Glenwood Avenue. The public is invited to attend.
The new facility provides indoor practice space for the intercollegiate baseball, softball, tennis and men’s golf and women’s golf programs at Tech. Locker room and office space for the baseball program, a training room and a conference room are also included in the project.
It is anticipated that additional intercollegiate athletics programs at Tech and students from the Department of Health and Physical Education will also utilize the facility.
The ATU Board of Trustees voted in December 2016 to award a contract to Cline Construction Group of North Little Rock to build the complex. AMR Architects of Little Rock designed the structure. A ceremonial ground breaking for the project was held on March 16, 2017, and a topping out ceremony was observed on Aug. 17, 2017.
Funding for the project was provided by private donations and existing university reserves. Major donors, including the late Col. Carl Franklin Baswell of Heber Springs, Harriet and Rick Thone of Russellville, Centennial Bank and Frank Griffin Oil Company, will be recognized during the dedication event.
The multi-sport complex provides space for the functions previously housed in the Stroupe Building, which was demolished in March 2018 following 92 years of service to the university and the surrounding communities.