University of MN Awards SJA New Basketball Practice Facility Project (Return to all news)

SJA Architects of Duluth has been selected from among a field of regional, state and national architectural firms to design the University of Minnesota’s new Department of Inter Collegiate Athletics Men’s and Women’s Basketball Practice Facility on the school’s Minneapolis Campus. SJA was the only firm from northern Minnesota to make the final list of candidates for the project. 

According to Ken Johnson, principal of SJA and design lead for the new U of M basketball project, “The primary objectives for this project are to create a functional facility that supports the practice needs of both the ICA Men’s and Women’s basketball programs, create a practice facility that is attractive to prospective recruits, identify a building site that optimizes the relationship of the proposed practice facility to existing support space in Williams Arena, and enhance the campus environment and distinct appearance of the Athletics District.”

The facility will house one to two one-and-a-half court gym(s), a strength/conditioning room, and a video- taping/editing room that will serve the practice needs of both teams.  Each one-and-a-half court gym will include a full length court and “side baskets” that would accommodate a 3-point arc off of the main practice court.

SJA Architects will be teaming with athletic planning and architectural design firm RDG Planning + Design of Des Moines, Iowa. The two firms collaborated on the successful University of Minnesota Duluth Sports and Health Center, which opened its doors in 2005.  SJA is also the Architect of Record for the new DECC Arena, soon to be home to the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams.