Oct. 31, 2000
"This is a defining moment in the history of Wichita State University," Beggs said. "The project will redesign and redefine the future of the WSU community, and will compliment the City of Wichita¹s business, cultural and social heart."
Initial pledges have totaled nearly $13 million, which includes a $6 million gift from Koch Industries, Inc., in honor of Koch Industries Chairman and CEO Charles Koch. The lead gift represents the largest single gift in the history of the company, as well as the largest single gift received by the University.
Charles Koch said this gift is not only for the University, but also for the community. "WSU is part of the Wichita community, and the Wichita community is part of WSU," Koch said. "We are proud to be a partner in this exciting new era of Wichita State University athletics."
To date, three families have also been instrumental in making an initial gift to the project, including the Tom and Myra Devlin Family, $2.75 million; Bob and Maura Geist, $2.75 million; and Barry and Paula Downing, $1 million.
"Pending the University's completion of the campaign fund-raising goals and Kansas Board of Regent's approval, it is intended for a variety of naming opportunities to occur," Beggs said. "The campaign will address a variety of facilities located in the northwest corner of campus.
"The plans are for the arena, Cessna Stadium and new student services building, along with any future phases to be named the Henry Levitt Athletic Complex. It is our intention to also name the following Charles Koch Arena, Devlin Court, Geist Student Services Building and the Barry and Paula Downing Academic Learning Center. A variety of naming opportunities are still available to donors.
"Henry Levitt was honored by the naming of the arena in 1969, and we continue to honor his name in a more expansive manner befitting his commitment to Wichita State. It was also critical to create new naming opportunities in order to effectively finance this project."
Included in the $19.5 million initial phase of the project is a reconstructed seating bowl that highlights better seating and enhanced appearance, as well as a new and wider concourse to improve fan services such as restrooms and concessions on the same level.
Also in the initial phase is a new Student Services Building with an Academic Center to address student-athlete academic/athletic needs and administrative offices, and a climate-controlled environment for all areas of the facility, including air conditioning. The lower level of the building will house new locker rooms for men¹s and women¹s basketball and volleyball. The exterior features an innovative exterior design that artistically utilizes classic brick, glass and fabricated metal that compliments campus architecture.
The aggressive and visionary master plan, which includes three future phases and renovation of the Cessna Stadium track, increases the project to $25 million. Future phases of the project include a two-court practice gymnasium, expanded weight and athletic training rooms, plus a performance enhancement center.
Additionally, a future phase of the project includes the expansion and resurfacing of the Cessna Stadium track to eight-lanes, and provides new locker rooms for the Shockers, Kansas State High School Track Meet, plus campus and community use.
The impetus of the initiative is to have a diversified area of support which will benefit all 15 intercollegiate athletic sport programs, and will provide a better venue for university and community events and activities.
WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State has embarked on a $19.5 million initial reconstruction and renovation plan -- Roundhouse Renaissance -- to address the primary facility needs of the Shockers' Athletic Department, WSU President Donald Beggs announced today.
Roundhouse Renaissance Primary Benefits
"This may be the most significant project in the history of WSU Athletics," said Jim Schaus, WSU Director of Athletics. "It will have a dramatic effect on the future success of Shocker basketball and will positively impact all 15 intercollegiate sports. It will be a venue that will also benefit our campus and community. I am most excited about what this project could mean for our student-athletes and fans."
There are five primary benefits of this initiative for the future of the Shockers' Athletic program and the need for Roundhouse Renaissance --
1. Time has taken its toll
When the Roundhouse first opened its doors nearly 50 years ago, the facility was one of the nation's premier basketball venues. Its design was on the cutting edge of sports architecture. Today, however, it is not properly equipped to lead Wichita State Athletics into the 21st Century. It ranks as one of the oldest in the Missouri Valley Conference and Midwest Region.
2. Catalyst in resurgence of men's basketball
The Roundhouse name also fosters vivid memories, in this case, of some of college basketball's greatest teams, players, games and moments. Feared by opposing teams and loved by Shocker fans, there are few environments like it in the country. Its mention conjures up a myriad of crisp images from national championship-caliber teams and great players to deafening crowds in the Roundhouse.
3. Academics and Recruiting for all sports
Roundhouse Renaissance is more than a project that will affect sports competing in the arena and at Cessna Stadium. All 15 varsity sports will benefit from the additional facilities for academics, athletic training, weight conditioning, sport team offices, etc. Its effects will help build championships on the athletic field and champions in the classroom.
4. University and Community events
Provides a better venue for campus activities (graduation, speakers' forums, etc.) for students, faculty, staff and friends of WSU.
5. Beacon of pride for Shocker Athletics, Wichita State and the City of Wichita Will offer increased opportunities for community and entertainment activities (concerts, high school/junior college games, educational programs, etc.).
Roundhouse Renaissance/Henry Levitt Athletic Complex Overview
€ Estimated project cost: $19.5 million with future phases ($25 million).
€ New Complex benefits all 15 intercollegiate athletic sport programs.
€ Complex will provide a better venue for university and community events and activities.
€ Renovation provides new building exterior, creates a new and expanded concourse, adds an additional building for student services, administration, locker rooms, plus revamps seating area.
€ New exterior design adds contemporary flair that features brick, glass and fabricated metal and meets current state of the art sports facility standards. The design promotes dynamic image, artistically blending in with campus buildings and landscape.
€ Adds close to 100,000 square feet of new facility space with expanded concourse, student services building and alternate phases.
€ In a related effort, will increase Cessna Stadium track to eight lanes, resurface entire track and build new locker rooms for men's and women's track teams.
Seating Bowl and Devlin Court
The Charles Koch Arena seating area will provide improved fan comforts and overall architectural presentation, without compromising the intimacy and renowned festive spirit of the Roundhouse. The seating bowl will be slightly closer to the Devlin Court, ensuring one of college basketball's best home court advantages. The seating area will also feature many improvements, including air conditioning, a new court and a more stylish ceiling and wall design.
"My wife, Myra, and I, as well as ours sons Tom and Tim, are very proud to be a part of this project," said Tom Devlin, CEO of Devlin Enterprises. "As many of you are aware, we have been supporters of Wichita State Athletics, as well as academics for a long time.
"This project, certainly will play a vital part in returning basketball to a level of excellence. I've always felt it was important the games be played on campus. This creates a fun atmosphere for the students and helps increase enrollment. Besides helping the University, it will be great for our community.
"While this is a good start to get the job done, a lot more support will be needed. I'm fortunate that my three good friends, Barry Downing, Bob Geist and Charles Koch all have similar views.
"I hope you are all as enthusiastic about this wonderful project as we are and when called upon, will lend your support."
Seating will feature a new lower bowl section with wider rows and new, comfortable chair back seats. The design will also offer more chair back seats and enhanced handicap seating, while still maintaining a seating capacity of more than 10,000 patrons.
Concourse
The new concourse will be noticeably larger than its current configuration. The concourse will offer new restrooms and concessions on the same level, two-story glass atrium entrance, ticket lobby/office, retail merchandise store, Shocker Sports Hall of Fame and history of Shocker basketball pavilions.
The concourse will also feature wider hallways to allow for easier pedestrian travel around the arena and Provides air conditioning for the space. The concourse design will strategically blend a contemporary approach with the program's rich basketball history.
Geist Student Services Building
The Geist Student Services Building is a three level, multi-use facility that will serve the needs of student-athletes and fans. The Geist Student Services Building will more than double the current spaces for the critical needs of student-athletes. The building, which encompasses more than 50,000 new square feet in the initial phase and potentially up to 75,000 new square feet with future phases (weight room, training room/performance enhancement lab and two-court practice gym), will house a variety of student service areas.
"My wife, Maura, and I have given a lot of thought as to the nature of a future gift to our University. Frankly, we have been considering how we might balance a gift between academics and athletics, both of which are important to us," said Bob Geist, CEO of Rage, Inc. "President Beggs and Jim Schaus solved that problem for us in about 10 minutes when they showed us plans for the new Charles Koch Arena and the Devlin Court, with the adjoining Student Services Building -- study halls, computer rooms, locker rooms and the Athletic Department all under one roof. We knew immediately that this was the perfect project for us as well as the University. We are very proud to be associated with the Geist Student Services Building."
A primary feature of the building will be the Barry and Paula Downing Academic Learning Center, which will contain an expansive computer lab, large general study room, study carrels, and individualized tutoring rooms. Also included will be new locker rooms for men's/women's basketball and volleyball, plus athletic training and weight rooms.
"We are very pleased to assist Wichita State University and the Wichita community in such a significant and worthwhile project," said Barry Downing, CEO of Corporate Lodging.
"Like so many other Wichita residents, we share in the recognition and community pride created through the exemplary quality of the WSU sports programs and the achievements of our student-athletes. These achievements help promote pride in our community as well as in the University itself.
"We also congratulate Dr. Beggs, Jim Schaus and all those at the university who have worked so hard to make this dream a reality. We look forward to the day when WSU's athletes, coaches, administration and spectators will benefit from this world-class facility."
The new building will also feature the Champions Dinner Club and Lounge, which is an upscale membership restaurant and lounge seating for more than 250 persons. A new ticket office and service lobby will provide more conveniences for fans. All athletic department administrative and sport program offices will also be located in the building.
Future Project Phases
Future expansion of the renovation may include a new primary weight and athletic training facilities/performance enhancement lab and a two-court practice gymnasium. Other future phases include building a new loading dock area and cooling/heating plant.
Giving Opportunities
To assist in fund-raising efforts, the Athletic Department will offer a variety of naming opportunities to donors which will include the arena concourse, practice gym, weight room, athletic training center/ performance enhancement lab, locker rooms, hospitality areas and arena entrances. A variety of benefits and recognition opportunities are available with naming opportunities. In addition, memberships will be sold to the 250-member Champions Dinner Club and Lounge.
"Although the campaign is off to an excellent start, we have a long ways to go to meet our financial goals," Schaus said. "We will be calling upon our supporters to provide the necessary financial assistance to make this dream a reality. We can begin building as soon the money is raised. With the type of support we have at WSU, I have no doubt that we will be able to make this happen."
Further information regarding how fans may participate will be distributed within the next several weeks.
Wichita State University is a member of the Kansas State Board of Regents System and has an enrollment of 15,810 students. The Wichita State Intercollegiate Athletics Association (WSU-ICAA) sponsors 15 Division I sports teams in baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, softball, men's and women's tennis and men's and women's indoor/outdoor track and field.
Koch Industries, Inc., through its subsidiaries, employs 11,500 people worldwide and is involved in virtually all phases of the oil and gas industry, as well as in chemicals, plastics, energy services, chemical and environmental technology products, asphalt products, metals and mineral services, ranching, financial services and ventures. For more information on Koch, refer to www.kochind.com or www.kochenvironment.com on the Internet.
Estimated Roundhouse Renaissance Timeline*
Date Activity October, 2000 Campaign announcementNovember, 2000 Campaign marketing materials mailed to prospects
February, 2001 Send out request for proposal (RFP) to hire architects
April, 2001 Hire architects
October, 2001 Complete fund-raising campaign
January, 2002 Send out bids to general contractor
March, 2002 Hire general contractor
March, 2002 Construction begins
August, 2003 Move into facility
*Subject to change
-- WSU --