Stony Brook Athletics Commences $21.1 Million Stony Brook Arena Renovation

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University has commenced a $21.1 million renovation of Stony Brook Arena that will transform the facility into a showcase for Long Island athletic and cultural events, Director of Athletics Jim Fiore announced Monday. The project is going forward due to the collaborative efforts of university officials and state legislators, led by Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., MD, and New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle. Construction on the state-of-the-art facility — the new home for Stony Brook Men’s and Women’s Basketball – will begin in June 2012. Expected completion is Fall 2014.

“This renovation would not have been possible without the tremendous support of Senator LaValle and our elected officials in Albany, Senator John Flanagan and Assemblyman Steve Englebright, who worked hard to secure the funding to move this project forward,” President Stanley said. “This renovation project will have a lasting impact on Stony Brook that extends well beyond NCAA Division I competition. I believe our community will now pull together to support the Seawolves with even more intensity. And combined with Stony Brook’s status as a top 50 public research institution, this facility will add significantly to our ability to attract top scholar-athletes to study and compete here. We are truly excited, and extremely grateful.”

Designed by NK Architects and Populous with Fortunato Sons Contracting, Inc., as the general contractor, the 40,000 square foot renovation project features a variety of design enhancements including a new bowl seating configuration to provide an intimate atmosphere for more than 4,000 spectators; modern arena video technology to enhance fan experience; a new competition basketball court and improved practice courts; and enhanced fan amenities including new concessions, restrooms and an expanded concourse. A private donation was also secured to complete four luxury suites and a VIP lounge with loge seating.

“The renovation of Stony Brook Arena will be transformative for our university and Seawolves Athletics,” Fiore said. “Facilities are a silent statement of a university’s commitment to excellence, and I want to thank Senator LaValle and President Stanley for supporting this endeavor. There is no question that these enhancements will continue to elevate our basketball programs while also serving as the premier entertainment destination for the Long Island community.”

“The newly renovated Stony Brook Arena is another investment that will allow the University to have facilities comparable to peer institutions who are also competing with Stony Brook for students,” Senator LaValle said.

During the arena renovation, Stony Brook Men’s and Women’s Basketball will continue to play in Pritchard Gymnasium through the 2013-14 season. Pritchard received a $1.2 million renovation in 2008 and has served as the home for the basketball teams since the start of the 2008-09 season. After the completion of the arena renovation, Pritchard Gymnasium will serve as the basketball teams’ practice facility. The men’s and women’s basketball teams also have access to recently renovated state-of-the-art locker room facilities, video review areas, and lounges, all of which were updated in 2008.

The Arena renovation project also provides Stony Brook with a new opportunity to build relationships within the community. Athletics is actively pursuing partnership opportunities, including exclusive naming rights for Stony Brook Arena, as well as corporate sponsorship opportunities. Season ticket packages and luxury suite information will be made available to the public in the fall.

“Stony Brook University has been very active in creating a dynamic environment aimed at attracting the best and brightest to Long Island, and this project will continue that great work. Those efforts will not only help our local economy but will bring benefits to our region for years to come as well,” New York State Senator John J. Flanagan said.

“This renovation of the space that defines and enables the indoor sports activities of Stony Brook will advance our teams to a new level of competitive excellence and recruitment potential,” New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright said. “The athletes of the men’s and women’s basketball programs have repeatedly proven that they are ready for a more dignified arena. At last, both these student-athletes and their fans shall have a home court worthy of their achievements and stature.”

The renovation of Stony Brook Arena is one of many athletics facility projects that Stony Brook University has undertaken under Fiore’s leadership, totaling approximately $50 million. This includes – in addition to the refurbishment of Pritchard Gymnasium and the support facilities for the basketball programs – the Dubin Family Athletic Performance Center for all intercollegiate student-athletes, the Goldstein Family Student-Athlete Development Center, the Joe Nathan Field project for the baseball program, the University Track renovation and the upcoming renovation of University Pool.

NK Architects, based in New York City, is a regional architectural, structural engineering, planning and interior design firm with a specialty in designing for higher education. Populous, based in Kansas City, Mo., is an internationally renowned sports facility design firm that has been the design architect for Citi Field and the new Yankee Stadium.

Fortunato Sons Contracting Inc., based in Bohemia, N.Y., is a fourth generation, family owned and operated general construction company, which constructs commercial office, industrial and research and development space, as well as performing all types of public sector, infrastructure, municipal, commercial, institutional, educational, religious and private sector work.

Stony Brook University is home to 20 intercollegiate sports that compete at the NCAA Division I level in the America East Conference and Big South Conference. Since elevating to Division I in 1999, the Seawolves have captured 33 conference championships, earned 17 national postseason bids and developed an individual national champion in women’s track & field.

For more information on Stony Brook Athletics, visit GoSeawolves.org and follow the department on Twitter at @SBAthletics.