Crisler Center Renovation Project Receives National Recognition
10/10/2014 12:00:00 AM | General
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Crisler Center renovation and expansion project has received national recognition as a 2014 Athletics Business Facilities of Merit award winner, announced today (Friday, Oct. 10) by the publication. Crisler Center is one of 10 Facilities of Merit this year.
"We are excited with what Crisler Center has evolved into and how it services our student-athletes on a daily basis and our fans on game day," said Steve Donoghue, athletics project manager. "It was a long and complicated process that the entire project team has a lot to be proud of. We look forward to practicing and competing in Crisler for many years to come."
TMP Architecture, Inc., of Bloomfield Hills was architect of record, with Denver, Colo., based Sink Combs Dethlefs serving as sports design consultant for the project. Spence Brothers Construction was the project's general contractor.
Additions to the arena totaled approximately 63,000 square feet. New entrances, club seating, new ticketing areas and retail space were part of the expansive project. Phase I of the project included: new seating; heating, ventilation and cooling; finishes; and replacement of the arena's lighting. A high-definition video scoreboard was also installed.
Phase II focused on fan amenities. Expansion of Crisler's busy concourse area to the east, as well as relocation of restrooms, concessions and the addition of an outdoor plaza enhanced the Wolverine fan's experience. A new enclosed club seating area provides an intimate space for donors and recruits. Crisler's new "front door" greets visitors with an enclosed escalator and stairway, taking fans to the concourse level.
U-M's Crisler Center has served the men's and women's basketball programs for nearly 50 years, as well as women's gymnastics, men's gymnastics and wrestling. In addition to games and practices, the arena, which sits adjacent to Michigan Stadium, has also hosted special events, concerts and university graduation ceremonies.
The 2014 Athletic Business Facilities of Merit awards were selected by a panel of sports and recreation facility architects during two days of judging in Madison, Wis. The 10 winners are being announced during these two weeks, and profiles of all 10 will appear in the November issue of Athletic Business. The awards will be presented to the facility owners and architects at the Athletic Business Conference and Expo in Orlando on Friday, Nov. 14.
Last June, the athletic department's Crisler Center was granted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification from the United State Green Building Council.
Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423
