VSU Multipurpose Center

BRINGING VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY’S VISION TO LIFE
A NEW HOME FOR TROJAN ATHLETES, STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY

IT ALL STARTED WITH A VISION.
Virginia State University’s 2020 Vision Plan called for increased enrollment, enhancements to its existing academic programs and development initiatives that will change the landscape of the campus. And that’s where we came in. Working in partnership with VSU, we helped them visualize a new Wellness and Conference Center to serve athletics programs while providing a place for students and the community to come together.

The Multipurpose Center at Virginia State University consists of a 165,941 SF sports and event arena that will seat 6,100 for stage events and 5,100 for sporting events. The facility also includes:
> Food and Retail Services
> Media spaces
> Concourse
> Classrooms and Faculty Offices
> Wellness center
> Conference/Meeting Spaces
> 30 showers
> 7,700 SF of restroom space
> 4,900 SF workout/fitness area
> 3,500 SF Lobby
> 45,000 SF of Gathering/Socializing Space

SBBCC worked with Clark Nexsen and Specialty Consultant, AECOM on this project to develop a venue to serve the academic, cultural, athletics, and entertainment needs of the University and the growing region.

The venue stands as the entertainment hub of the region. Events bring students, families, concert fanatics, and sports fans. The building structure consists of a steel frame and cast in- place concrete. The seating area of the lower bowl consists of precast treads and risers supported by steel raker beams. The stair and elevator shafts are CMU and were specifically designed for structural isolation from the steel framed structure. The roof structure consists of acoustical metal deck over long-span roof trusses. The building is protected by a 60 mil TPO roofing system.

The building is equipped with complete wet-pipe sprinkler, electrical, fire alarm and LED lighting systems. In addition to the high-quality audio system, the event area contains two LED scoreboards. The HVAC system consists of a highly efficient four-pipe system, with boilers, chillers and a cooling tower. The system controls (DDC) are tied into the campus-wide system for monitoring by the facilities maintenance staff.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.
The new practice facility supports the men’s and women’s basketball programs with one full court, three half courts, weight rooms, sports medicine, locker rooms and athletics offices.

WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE.
From the bold beats of the Trojan Explosion to the community roar, the new arena is dialed in to host both sporting events and stage events. Designed in a U-shape configuration, the arena seats 5,500 for basketball and 6,500 for entertainment events with premium fan amenities, including six suites and a 1,000-sf club.

Sports +  performance / entertainment events
> 5,500-seat arena
> 6 private suites, club lounge and 200 club seats
> 600-sf team store
> Locker rooms for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball, cheerleaders, coaches, visiting teams and officials
> Ticketing windows and offices
> 3,000-sf kitchen

Team practice + coaches’ spaces
> 12,000-sf practice court
> Training room, hydrotherapy room, equipment room, strength + conditioning room
> 600-sf team film room
> Coaches’ offices
> Athletic department offices and conference room
> Laundry

Wellness + academics
> 7,000-sf recreation center and locker rooms
> 9,300-sf communications department classrooms and offices

BUILDING SYSTEMS
> The building structure consists of a steel frame and cast-in-place concrete.
> The stair and elevator shafts are CMU and were specifically designed to for structural isolation from the steel framed structure.
> The roof structure consists of acoustical metal deck over long-span roof trusses.
> The metal pan-filled stairs are the primary means of egress and vertical circulation.
> Four hydraulic passenger elevators and one hydraulic service elevator provide additional vertical circulation.
> The exterior wall assembly consists of heavy-gauge metal stud framing, sheathing, fluid-applied air barrier, rigid insulation and brick/natural stone. In addition to the masonry elements, a significant portion of the structure is clad in 3” thick pre-finished insulated panels.
> The balance of the exterior façade is a combination of curtainwall and storefront systems, with operable Nana-wall integrated at the elevated patio.
> The interior contains natural stone, stained wood paneling, mosaic tile and glass wall systems. The primary building finishes include terrazzo, tile, carpet, VCT, wood flooring, rubber flooring, athletic flooring, stainless steel/glass railings and acoustical ceilings.
> A balcony with stainless steel railings overlooks the practice gym from the coaching and administrative office area.
> The facility includes a complete kitchen, fully equipped for high-volume cooking. The commercial-grade fume hood and grease duct is routed to the exterior of the building.
> The concourse level holds four concession stands with ability to warm the food prepared in the main kitchen.
> The building is equipped with complete wet-pipe sprinkler, electrical, fire alarm and LED lighting systems.
> In addition to the high-quality audio system, the event area contains two LED scoreboards.
> The HVAC system consists of a highly efficient four-pipe system, with boilers, chillers and a cooling tower. The system controls (DDC) are tied into the campus-wide system for monitoring by the facilities maintenance staff.