McKale Memorial Center to Break Ground for New Facilities May 25

Tina Alvarez
May 19, 2000


Ground was broken at the McKale Memorial Center April 25 for the expansion of the facilities that will include a hall of champions, the strength and conditioning, and medical treatment center.

President Peter Likins, Athletics Director Jim Livengood, President of the Arizona Board of Regents Hank Amos, Alumni Letterwinner Eddie Lynch and Jim Click Sr., who represented his son, was present for the ceremony.

The entire facility, which includes the Hall of Champions, the strength and conditioning center and the medical treatment center will be named the Eddie Lynch Athletics Pavilion, in honor of Lynch's contributions of $6.5 million. The total projected budget for the facilities is $13.5 million.

Jim Click Jr. also contributed to the McKale Memorial Center expansion with a gift of $1.75 million. to build the Jim Click Hall of Champions. Click will be out of town that day, but his father will represent him.

"Our goal is to raise $31.5 million to enhance the facilities and support our 19 teams, which includes 450 student-athletes," said Livengood. "The athletics department receives less than 7 percent of its operating budget from the state.

"In order to enhance our facilities, such as the women's soccer complex, women's basketball offices, the women's locker rooms, and to provide the necessary scholarship support, we must count on support from our season ticket holders, alumni letterwinners and community leaders. Individuals such as Eddie Lynch help make this happen," he said.

The IEF Group, Inc., Architects/Planners designed the new facilities.

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"This is an exciting project to design because these additions offer not just a lot more space, but with its inviting glass facade and extraordinary resources, the McKale Center will become an outward expression of the commitment to intercollegiate athletics at the University of Arizona," said Klindt D. Breckenridge, president of The IEF Group.

"The new expanded space features state-of-the-art strength and conditioning facilities and a medical treatment facility, which will attract today's best student-athletes as well as celebrating the University's rich athletic past with the Hall of Champions," Breckenridge said.

Designed to compliment the existing structure, the expansion will use brick, aluminum, composite panels, glass and steel that will make it distinct from the existing building. The new addition will have a prominent location on the perimeter of the campus near Campbell Avenue, anchoring the east end of the University Mall.

The Eddie Lynch Athletics Pavilion encompasses an outdoor plaza, below which will extend the Strength/Conditioning and Medical Treatment Centers. The Jim Click Hall of Champions will be visible on the plaza above ground and will attach to the existing McKale Memorial Center.

"With a project budget of $13.5 million, this 50,000 square foot project demonstrates a major commitment by the University to celebrate our past as well as support our future student-athletes," said Livengood. "The overwhelming spirit and generous support of the community and University alumni have made this dream a reality."

The projected start date is schedule for June and the projected completion date is in the fall of 2001.

The area to the north and northeast of McKale Memorial Center will be fenced for construction staging. There will be a temporary construction access on the east end of the staging area that will connect directly to Campbell Avenue.

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