PAC renovation plans move forward

Final design plans are being worked out for the upcoming $16 million dollar renovation and possible expansion of the Physical Activities Center (PAC). This will be the first renovation of the PAC since the building opened its doors in 1980. The PAC is the home court of USI's Screaming Eagles athletics programs and the site of fall and spring commencement exercises at USI. It's also home to Athletics offices and a number of academic classrooms.

The renovation project was approved by USI's Board of Trustees last year and architects were selected last spring. Architectural firm Cannon Design of St. Louis, Missouri, in partnership with Wilkie Structural Engineering and Biagi, Chance, Cummins, London, Titzer, Inc., both of Evansville, and Water Technologies, Inc. of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, are joining forces to complete the design project.

Jon Mark Hall, USI athletic director, projects that the renovation plans could be finalized as early as January 2016, with construction beginning in the fall. "The University has outgrown the space, and it's in need of a facelift," he said.

Hall says work will be planned in stages to minimize disruptions to athletics, classrooms and events held in the PAC. Locker rooms and office space will be updated while the basketball season is in session. Updates to the arena area will take place after the basketball season is over to avoid relocating games. Both the fall and spring 2016 Commencement ceremonies will remain in the PAC, but an alternate location will be selected for the 2017 ceremonies.

Jim Wolfe, director of Facilities, Operations and Planning, reports that, in addition to updating and renovating the existing facility, an addition of more than 30,000 square feet is possible as part of the project. Plans call for the main basketball court to be turned 90 degrees, reorienting it in a north-south direction. The move would allow for increased capacity and seating to be placed on all four sides of the court. A new entrance into the facility would also create a more visually aesthetic entry way and would improve the flow of spectators during events held in the facility.

"Part of the goal of this design phase is to create synergy, so that sporting events, intramurals and classes can all be held simultaneously without interruption," added Wolfe.

Renovations could also create opportunities for added classroom space in the building. For example, the Kinesiology Lab, currently located in the Health Professions Center, could be moved into the PAC to better fit the needs of the program. One question mark that still looms is the future of the swimming pool. Plans for relocation, renovation or removal are still being discussed.

Once the preliminary plans are approved in spring 2016, the second phase of the project will be the creation of schematic designs to determine the actual appearance of the walls, floors and other areas. That phase would take place over the summer with construction beginning as early as fall 2016.

We'll keep you updated as we hear more about the project.