The infrastructure hasn’t been laid down yet, but the process of building the new Athletic Performance Research Center continues to progress. Marquette still hopes to break ground on the facility sometime in 2017 according to vice president for planning and strategy Lora Strigens.
“Between us and our partners at Aurora we’re coming up with more components for the building than we can probably fit in there,” Strigens said. “We need to do some prioritization about what we can do as an initial phase to that project and what we might build upon in the future.”
Marquette recently chose the architecture groups that will highlight the project, led by Sink Combs Dethlefs and HGA, Milwaukee’s largest architecture firm. Sink Combs Dethlefs has worked on 40 NCAA Division I college campuses across the country, but the university wanted to make sure there was local influence.
“On high profile projects like this we get a lot of attention from national design firms that want to be a part of the project,” Strigens said. “Their expertise is really important, but it’s also critically important to support our local economy, architects, engineers and construction managers.”
Rounding out the group is Boston-based Ellenzweig and Peter Park LLC.
The facility, formally announced in January, will host indoor fields for the school’s soccer and lacrosse teams, along with an indoor track and athletic research facilities. Marquette is partnering with Aurora Health Care, which provided $40 million toward the estimated $120 million bill. The Milwaukee Bucks are also a partner in the project.
Marquette’s next move is hiring a construction manager according to University President Michael Lovell. The university has already begun clearing the area.
“These things are all a part of the process before you put a shovel in the ground,” Lovell said.
