Carver-Hawkeye Arena project on schedule

IOWA CITY - Carver-Hawkeye Arena's $47 million renovation at the University of Iowa is on track for completion by Aug. 1, 2011, according to Jane Meyer, senior associate athletics director.

“I'm comfortable to say we're on schedule,” said Meyer, who conducted a tour of the renovation facility Tuesday. “And we are on budget at this point.”

The four-story renovation and reconstruction includes office spaces for administrators and coaches, locker rooms, two club areas, two full-length basketball courts and an 11,000 square-foot strength-and-conditioning area for 23 of Iowa's 24 sports. The basketball courts on the second floor will be heated and air-conditioned, and a sound-dampening retractable wall can be placed between them so the basketball and volleyball teams can conduct practice side-by-side.

The wrestling room receives a face-lift and an expansion. The practice areas will incorporate hand geometry for secure access.

While the facility is partially completed, there's still plenty to do by midwinter so interior work can be completed, Meyer said.

“The goal according to the schedule is to be totally enclosed by mid-January,” Meyer said. “Structurally, it's up.”

Most athletics department employees have left their offices for Kinnick Stadium during the renovation. The administrators leave for Kinnick after football season. Athletes (except football) use the campus recreation building for strength and conditioning until the practice facility is completed.

After spring graduation, Iowa will replace the retractable seating in the lower arena bowl with black fixed seats.

“Everybody sort of looks to the day of knowing what their space is going to be like,” Meyer said.

The state Board of Regents approved the project June, 12, 2008. Construction began in fall 2009.