VESTAL, N.Y. – Binghamton Athletics will embark on another major renovation project this spring when the $10 million Events Center upgrade begins in May. The Events Center is considered the hub of the Bearcats' 21-sport athletics program, and the enhancements to the multipurpose facility will benefit multiple teams, campus events and community spectators.

The large-scale project features the replacement of the entire event-level surface, six track lanes, basketball court and bleachers. The construction will begin after Commencement and is set to be completed in late fall. The upgrade will provide the track, basketball and volleyball programs with new practice and competition surfaces and the new event-level, synthetic surface will also be a boost to every team that trains and conditions indoors.     

The bleacher replacement will be a boon to visitors attending home athletics events and large campus events such as Commencement and concerts.

"As we continue to provide both our student-athletes and coaches with the best possible university experience, these Events Center facility upgrades will help achieve that goal," Director of Athletics Eugene Marshall, Jr. said. "Our student-athletes are some of the most talented individuals in the country. Our coaching staffs are extremely successful, thus very deserving of athletic facilities of this kind. They win championships in the classroom, on the field of athletic competition and in the community. Now we have championship facilities to match. I would like to thank President Stenger for his efforts, support and confidence in the Division of Athletics in turning these thoughts into a reality."

The event level occupies nearly 55,000-square-feet and the original flooring dates back to the arena's 2004 opening. The new synthetic surface will be shaded green. The 200-meter track lanes will be alternating shades of mid and dark gray. The new hardwood court for basketball and volleyball will be in the same configuration in the center of the arena with a black color border.

The new bleacher system will feature retractable sections with bench seating on the South end (nearest main entrance to building) and chairback seating on each of the West and East spectator sides. The seating capacity will remain approximately the same.

The Events Center project continues a surge of noted advancements to Binghamton's athletics facilities, already considered among the finest in the Northeast.

In the last two years alone, the University has added an indoor/outdoor tennis complex (Lane-Starke Tennis Center), a 41,000-square-foot indoor fieldhouse and an outdoor track & field throwing area. Significant renovations have enhanced the locker rooms for nearly every team. Improvements also have taken place at the Bearcat Sports Complex (new turf for soccer/lacrosse), the Bearcat Softball Complex and the campus cross country course. Last week, the University broke ground on the $5.6 million Visions Federal Credit Union Track & Field Facility.