UMd.'s Cole Field House Has $155M Indoor Sports Complex Makeover Plans
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WJZ) --Out with the old and in with the new. The iconic Cole Field House at the University of Maryland could soon be under a $150 million makeover.
Rick Ritter s has more on the excitement.
The plan is to help Maryland compete in the Big Ten with an indoor facility—something nearly all of the other schools already have and students are excited about.
A staple at the University of Maryland. An arena packed with history. Cole Field House, the former home of Maryland basketball, could soon be home to the Terp's football team.
"It makes too much sense almost. If you want to compete in Big 10, you got to have an indoor practice facility," said Kevin Spillman, senior.
School officials aren't commenting until the project is approved, but it would be funded in part with $25 million in state funds and another $25 million from the university, which would be repaid from Big Ten revenues.
The rest would be privately funded—some from Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank.
"Making moves like this is a definitely good way to rejuvenate that culture and get the energy sparking back up again," said Jamal Francis, senior.
Officials say the plan is to gut this entire building and turn it into an indoor football facility. It's ideal for days when it's raining or lightning out and a huge draw for potential student athletes.
Francis calls the potential makeover a game changer in recruiting.
"You're trying to show the kids the facilities you have and what's better than other schools," Francis said.
It's an opportunity to take the university to the next level in the Big Ten conference.
"In long term, we'll get better recruits, hopefully the team will get better and help us compete and ultimately that drives revenue," Spillman said.
If approved, the first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2017.
Part of the renovations would include an entrepreneurship program for students in the facility.
The project is awaiting Board of Regents approval at a meeting on Dec. 12.
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