Indiana University Athletics
Construction Update at Assembly Hall (7.14.15)
7/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Varsity Club
Work Beginning Inside the Future Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Construction at the future Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is in its fourth month with work being done both inside and outside the south lobby. Outside the arena, work is continuing on the relocation of underground water and sanitary systems. Demolition has also begun to remove sections of the south loge wall in preparation of the new lobby construction.
Inside the Assembly Hall, a temporary arena wall has been installed on south end. The temporary wall be up the entire 2015-16 basketball season and will be painted with red and white stripes to match the north end wall. The five national championship banners have been moved to the north end of the arena, but will be relocated higher on the end south following the construction in 2016. The other Big Ten championship banners have been safely stored for the duration of the construction, but will be re-installed to the north end at the completion of the construction.
Recent construction has also included the pouring of concrete for new access ramps in the south addition as well as elevator shaft work. On the north east corner outside of Assembly Hall, new sidewalks and ramps have also been built to improve access to nearby accessible parking.
To see the construction in action, view video below or the July 9 Construction Photos.
As part of preserving college basketball's greatest home court advantage, Assembly Hall's renovations will: improve the fan experience through renovating every restroom and adding new ones, improving the concession stands, refurbishing all non-bleacher seats, installing a new large video board with improved visibility in the balconies and throughout the seating bowl, replacing metal railings with acrylic panels to improve safety and sightlines, and adding premium seating and hospitality to generate revenues to reinvest in the building's maintenance; improve fan accessibility through new escalators in the north and south lobbies and improved access for people with disabilities; enhance the look through a dramatic new "front door" and entry plaza and new branding and flooring throughout the building; and rebuild the infrastructure of the building through improvements to its emergency alarms, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems.
Demolition, construction and renovations on Assembly Hall will continue through Fall, 2016.
The renovation of Assembly Hall was announced in December 2013 when IU Athletics received a $40 million gift -- the largest in its history -- from alumna Cindy Simon Skjodt. In honor of the landmark gift made by Simon Skjodt and her philanthropic organization, the Samerian Foundation, IU will rename Assembly Hall the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall at the completion of the construction and renovations. The Simon Skjodt gift also launched IU Athletics capital campaign, which is part of Indiana University's Bicentennial Campaign. Read more about the Simon Skjodt gift.
To learn more about the IU Athletics campaign or gift and naming opportunities, please contact the IU Varsity Club at 812-855-0866 or varsity@indiana.edu.
