Clemson University breaks ground on sports facilities expansion project

Listen to this article

Clemson University Athletics has begun work on a comprehensive women’s sports expansion project.

University officials and invited speakers recently celebrated the groundbreaking.

Columbia firm Garvin Design Group and national sports architecture firm HNTB have worked together with Clemson Athletics and the lacrosse, gymnastics, and rowing programs since 2020, a Garvin Design Group news release stated. Since then, these teams have produced feasibility studies, concept and final designs, and will continue to provide construction administration through completion.

The project includes facilities for Clemson’s existing women’s rowing program and the new women’s lacrosse and women’s gymnastics programs in their inaugural year, the release stated. When completed, the complex will include a new lacrosse stadium and operations complex, a new gymnastics operations complex and practice facility, renovations and improvements to the existing rowing center, and a new elite athlete recovery center and student-athlete village.

The project’s first phase is set to be complete in fall 2023 when the gymnastics program will move into its new home.

“We were thrilled to work with Clemson and such a dynamic group of people on this groundbreaking project for Athletics,” said Terry Buchmann, Garvin Design Group principal and project manager, in the release. “And we are excited to continue our design partnership with HNTB and look forward to promoting Women’s Sports at Clemson and delivering world-class facilities for each of these programs.”

Columbia-based firm Garvin Design Group is serving as the project’s Architect of Record with national sports design firm HNTB serving as Sports Architect, the release stated.

“Being a female designer on this project felt particularly poignant as we envisioned the future for two inaugural women's sports teams,” Garvin Design Group Interior Designer Liza Brockman said in the release. “Working with the lacrosse, gymnastics, and rowing teams inspired us to push the envelope of design.”

Birmingham, Ala.-based Brasfield & Gorrie is the general contractor on the project.

A longtime Clemson design partner, Garvin Design Group has led many athletics projects in recent years, including the Soccer Operations Complex and the renovation of the women’s basketball locker rooms, the release stated.

HNTB commands a wide portfolio of sports fields, stadiums, practice facilities, team spaces, elite athlete recovery centers, and other facilities for women’s sports nationwide, the release stated. The firms’ respective portfolios and longstanding partnership on other campuses promise to deliver world-class facilities for Clemson’s new women’s sports programs.

“HNTB is honored to deliver a unique and vibrant architectural vision to Clemson and its women’s teams,” said Eric Maxwell, HNTB lead designer, in the release. “Along with Garvin Design Group, HNTB has enjoyed our collaboration with coaches, as well as athletics and campus leadership on the design of world-class facilities that provide an unforgettable and high-level athletic experience.”