UND Athletics releases master facilities plan

A new master facilities plan released by UND Athletics reveals a project to hold softball games on campus for the first time.

Fundraising is in progress to create a complex between 2^nd and University Avenues. Games are currently held at Apollo Park.

The plan says groundbreaking is expected next spring for phase two of the Fritz Pollard Jr. Athletic Center to be connected to the new Memorial Village. Included are new locker rooms for football and other sports…and replacing the turf and track on the current Memorial Field.

Other highlights include improvements to R-E-A, Alerus Center, Bronson Soccer Field and Choice Health and Fitness, where tennis is played.… and potential partnership opportunities at Ray Richards Golf Course.

Athletic Director Bill Chaves says some projects may involve public-private partnerships, while others may be 100 percent philanthropic.

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(UND Athletics release: )

University of North Dakota Director of Athletics Bill Chaves announced on September 30, 2022 the master facilities plan, providing a vision for the future of UND Athletics.

The announcement comes on the heels of the groundbreaking of Memorial Village on Aug. 25, which is expected to be completed in 2024 and will provide a new space for student-athlete academic services, new offices for football, track and field, men’s and women’s golf and softball, administrative offices and pay tribute to the vaunted history of North Dakota Athletics with a display honoring the UND Letterwinners Hall of Fame through a public-private partnership.

“Breaking ground on Memorial Village is the first domino of what we anticipate being several dominos that will enhance and transform the student-athlete experience for all 17 of our programs, said Chaves. Many of our current facilities have served us incredibly well for many, many years, but as we look ahead to not only the next year but the next several years, this athletic vision will allow us to recruit and retain the best student-athletes possible. Finally, all these projects will not be funded identically. Some may be a public-private partnership model while others may be 100% philanthropic.”

Other projects are listed below with details and are depicted graphically (attached) to show what is visually planned.

Frederick “Fritz” D. Pollard Jr. Athletic Center Addition (Phase II – Philanthropic)

Expected to break ground in Spring 2023

Connected to Memorial Village via indoor “Hawkway”
Provides new locker rooms for cross country, football, softball and track and field
State-of-the-art weight room
New sports medicine/treatment areas
Replacement to the turf and track on current Memorial Field

Softball Complex (Philanthropic)

Still actively fundraising
Located between 2nd Avenue and University Avenue
Would bring the softball program on campus for first time in program history

Bronson Soccer Field – Soccer (Philanthropic)

Still actively fundraising
Working to bring improved amenities to both playing surface and seating area

Recently hosted first regionally televised game in field history with record crowd vs. Minnesota

Ralph Engelstad Arena and Betty Engelstad Sioux Center (Partnership with REA, Inc.)

REA will continue to see upgrades to provide for hockey and soccer programs
New weight room and training facilities set to be completed in 2022 for hockey and soccer