MIAMI BASKETBALL

Cook Field 'arena' site to get recommendation

After student, community and other "stakeholder" input, as well as information about the sites and campus planning from the Physical Facilities Department Office of Planning, Architecture, and Engineering. a new multi-purpose arena project committee is recommending the school use the present "Cook Field" site for the new arena/multi-functional facility.
Miami University President Gregory Crawford will now take the committee's recommendation to the Miami University Board of Trustees. 

Miami officials previously estimated a . . . 

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. . . need of $80 million to maintain and upgrade Millett Hall, which opened in 1968. That facility, located at the north end of campus and next to Yager Stadium, has served as home for several MU intercollegiate sports  (e.g. men's and women's basketball, volleyball ...), as well as other activities (e.g. graduations, concerts ...). 

The new facility project would cover -- and enhance -- a multi-purpose use and potentially lead to other development in/near the footprint. 

"This proposed project is an exciting opportunity to enhance Miami and the Oxford community for years to come, and we look forward to continuing to explore the idea of a new arena," President Crawford said.

PRESENT-DAY MILLETT HALL

Pulley Tower (MVSmith/MRO)

Here's more on the project . . . 

ABOUT COOK FIELD
• The Cook Field site is located at the intersection of U.S. 27 and SR 73. That is at the west end of campus and has some "relative" advantages as far as traffic access/egress for out-of-town fans/users. 
• It is also is in relatively close proximity to a number of student residence halls. 
• Cook Field has served as a key site for outdoor intramural athletics (e.g. soccer, softball and flag football), as well as student events and community programs.
Intramural activities would be moved, possibly to the Millett Hall area as that facility is demolished. According to the release, there would be "an opportunity to invest about $13 milion in upgrading student intramural fields."

• As of now, Pulley Tower (at the southwest corner of Cook Field) would not only be preserved, it could be incorporated into entrance designs for the arena.

• A master plan would be developed for the entire Cook Field site to explore how possible future projects, such as a conference center, retail spaces, and/or a parking garage, could be integrated into the overall site. 

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• A larger footprint with abundant space gives the ability to add additional facilities, including connection to potential future hotel and/or restaurants.
• The site is close to the North Parking Garage (645 E Withrow St) and has the room to add additional parking.
• The Cook Field site would not require removal of existing buildings.
The Southwest Quad space would be preserved for future opportunities for the expansion of academic programming. 
• The Cook Field site provides better facilitation for simultaneous dual activities held in the new arena and other campus events like commencements, concerts, conferences, creative arts performances, career fairs and more.

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