McLeod Center
HLKB Architecture
Recognitions:
2008 Design Awards
Project Description
The 7,000-seat multi-purpose arena is an athletic competition facility for a university and an important entertainment venue for the entire region.
Working with the assistance of a sports facility consultant, the new arena was designed to connect to the nearby domed football stadium to produce a unified complex of athletics, recreation, and entertainment. An athletics Hall of Fame physically connects the two buildings and serves as a main entrance and gathering space for the facility.
Great care was taken in designing the seating bowl to match the University’s desire for an intimate, yet active venue. An open concourse envelopes the “in the round” seating arrangement so one is never separated from the action on the floor. Unique to this facility is an alumni/donor suite incorporated into the seating bowl. This space offers up-close views of the action with the privileges of privacy.
The simplicity of the design has created a facility that is not only cost effective and functionally efficient, but unique, iconic and beautiful.