This is a long and rather dry press release, but it's important for Pitt athletics and worth reading. A big first step.
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh has partnered with Populous, an international design firm specializing in sports architecture, to devise a comprehensive athletics facilities master plan to address both the short-term and long-tern needs of the athletic department administrative units and varsity programs.
“While undergoing our internal strategic planning it became quite clear that our facilities and infrastructure are a paramount resource in fulfilling our vision to inspire pride and build champions – in academics, in athletics and in life,” said athletic director Scott Barnes. “Populous is an industry leader and the ideal choice to partner with as we look to provide the best possible accommodations and atmosphere for our student-athletes, staff and fans. We are extremely excited about the direction we are heading as a department and university.”
Populous has generated collegiate master plans for a wide range of institutions including Alabama, Arizona State, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Northwestern, Ohio State, Virginia and Washington. In addition to its focus in the world of collegiate athletics, the firm has designed more than 2,000 sports venues around the globe including the main stadium for the 2012 Olympic Games in London; Yankee Stadium; Heinz Field; CONSOL Energy Center and numerous facility master plans.
The Pitt athletics master planning process will begin immediately and will span approximately nine months. Key project phases will include in-person discovery sessions with athletic department staff, coaches and student-athletes; facility and needs assessments; and content development. Among the key priorities within the plan is the potential construction of an athletics-specific student services building that will include office space, an academic support center and a full-service student-athlete training table facility.
Populous will work in concert with Nashville-based graphic design company Advent as the University of Pittsburgh continues its three-phased transition back to the Pitt script logo. New facility branding efforts are currently underway for the 2016-17 season.
The planning process comes on the heels of several projects already nearing completion, including a contracted feasibility study for the potential construction of outdoor track and tennis facilities; renovation of the locker room facility in Trees Pool and the construction of a new team room adjacent to the pool deck; renovations to the entrance of the football facility at the UPMC South Side Complex as well as renovations to the hydrotherapy area; and renovations to the Petersen Events Center, including a new basketball floor, new LED ribbon displays and revamped entrance to the practice facility.
"Addressing our facility needs is a key component in developing a roadmap for the future of Pitt Athletics,” added Barnes. “Enhancing and improving our facilities will enable our student-athletes, coaches, staff and outside constituents to continue to take great pride in being a part of the University of Pittsburgh family."
"Effective athletic master planning can have a positive impact on the recruiting of student-athletes, a fan's gameday experiences and everything in between," said Jeff Funovits, the principal campus planner with Populous. "As a Pittsburgh native, I'm very excited to be working with the university on this project that will support the near and long-term success of the Panthers' athletic programs."
About Populous
Populous was founded in 1983 on the premise of vision and innovation and has since grown into the world's leading design firm dedicated exclusively to creating sports facilities that could help shape lasting memories for players, fans and communities. The firm has completed more than 2,000 projects around the globe, worked with nearly every major professional sports team in North America and completed work on more than 130 colleges and universities. Populous has designed some of the most recognizable sports facilities in the world – all of which, in some way, have defined the experience of modern sport. Its portfolio includes such icons as Camden Yards in Baltimore; Yankee Stadium in New York; the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games main stadium; Nanjing Sports Park in China; ANZ Stadium in Australia; Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona; the University of Minnesota football stadium and event planning for the Super Bowl and Major League Baseball All Star Game.
With an eye to the future, Populous continues to look at ways technology can change sport; how social media can change fan interactions and how brands are interwoven along the way. An unrivaled knowledge, both technical and visionary, is once again helping set the stage for the next generation of fans.
Today, Populous is recognized as the nation’s leading architectural firm in the planning, design and renovation of collegiate athletic facilities. Its team of planners, landscape architects, programmers and architects work with clients to create places that provide memorable collegiate experiences. These facilities, integrated within the campus’ open space, have become important components in a university’s livelihood. A competitive athletic program enhances a university’s image, while providing additional revenues to strengthen the academic experience.
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh has partnered with Populous, an international design firm specializing in sports architecture, to devise a comprehensive athletics facilities master plan to address both the short-term and long-tern needs of the athletic department administrative units and varsity programs.
“While undergoing our internal strategic planning it became quite clear that our facilities and infrastructure are a paramount resource in fulfilling our vision to inspire pride and build champions – in academics, in athletics and in life,” said athletic director Scott Barnes. “Populous is an industry leader and the ideal choice to partner with as we look to provide the best possible accommodations and atmosphere for our student-athletes, staff and fans. We are extremely excited about the direction we are heading as a department and university.”
Populous has generated collegiate master plans for a wide range of institutions including Alabama, Arizona State, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Northwestern, Ohio State, Virginia and Washington. In addition to its focus in the world of collegiate athletics, the firm has designed more than 2,000 sports venues around the globe including the main stadium for the 2012 Olympic Games in London; Yankee Stadium; Heinz Field; CONSOL Energy Center and numerous facility master plans.
The Pitt athletics master planning process will begin immediately and will span approximately nine months. Key project phases will include in-person discovery sessions with athletic department staff, coaches and student-athletes; facility and needs assessments; and content development. Among the key priorities within the plan is the potential construction of an athletics-specific student services building that will include office space, an academic support center and a full-service student-athlete training table facility.
Populous will work in concert with Nashville-based graphic design company Advent as the University of Pittsburgh continues its three-phased transition back to the Pitt script logo. New facility branding efforts are currently underway for the 2016-17 season.
The planning process comes on the heels of several projects already nearing completion, including a contracted feasibility study for the potential construction of outdoor track and tennis facilities; renovation of the locker room facility in Trees Pool and the construction of a new team room adjacent to the pool deck; renovations to the entrance of the football facility at the UPMC South Side Complex as well as renovations to the hydrotherapy area; and renovations to the Petersen Events Center, including a new basketball floor, new LED ribbon displays and revamped entrance to the practice facility.
"Addressing our facility needs is a key component in developing a roadmap for the future of Pitt Athletics,” added Barnes. “Enhancing and improving our facilities will enable our student-athletes, coaches, staff and outside constituents to continue to take great pride in being a part of the University of Pittsburgh family."
"Effective athletic master planning can have a positive impact on the recruiting of student-athletes, a fan's gameday experiences and everything in between," said Jeff Funovits, the principal campus planner with Populous. "As a Pittsburgh native, I'm very excited to be working with the university on this project that will support the near and long-term success of the Panthers' athletic programs."
About Populous
Populous was founded in 1983 on the premise of vision and innovation and has since grown into the world's leading design firm dedicated exclusively to creating sports facilities that could help shape lasting memories for players, fans and communities. The firm has completed more than 2,000 projects around the globe, worked with nearly every major professional sports team in North America and completed work on more than 130 colleges and universities. Populous has designed some of the most recognizable sports facilities in the world – all of which, in some way, have defined the experience of modern sport. Its portfolio includes such icons as Camden Yards in Baltimore; Yankee Stadium in New York; the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games main stadium; Nanjing Sports Park in China; ANZ Stadium in Australia; Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona; the University of Minnesota football stadium and event planning for the Super Bowl and Major League Baseball All Star Game.
With an eye to the future, Populous continues to look at ways technology can change sport; how social media can change fan interactions and how brands are interwoven along the way. An unrivaled knowledge, both technical and visionary, is once again helping set the stage for the next generation of fans.
Today, Populous is recognized as the nation’s leading architectural firm in the planning, design and renovation of collegiate athletic facilities. Its team of planners, landscape architects, programmers and architects work with clients to create places that provide memorable collegiate experiences. These facilities, integrated within the campus’ open space, have become important components in a university’s livelihood. A competitive athletic program enhances a university’s image, while providing additional revenues to strengthen the academic experience.
