University of Indiana Assembly Hall on Schedule, on Budget

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Work on the University of Indiana (IU) Assembly Hall in Bloomington, home to the university’s women’s and men’s basketball teams, recently entered its final stages. Construction had slowed on the $45 million project during the basketball season, but has remained both on schedule and on budget.

Construction crews completed the facility’s structural steel components in February, and have already finished pouring slab-on-deck concrete foundation for the mezzanine. Steel is now being detailed on the building’s east and west sides, and concrete columns are being poured, according to a recent progress report published by the university. Progress has also been made on planning the south main mechanical room, while electrical work is now being completed inside the building.

Crews will now focus on installing steel at the roof level as well as precast columns and beams. Demolition and abatement of the mechanical room will also take place, followed by mechanical, electrical and plumbing installation work.

Assembly Hall was first completed in December 1971 and, prior to the renovation, could accommodate 17,472 fans. In December 2013, IU Athletics announced a $40 million gift — a new philanthropic record for the university — from IU alumna Cindy Simon Skjodt. The gift was dedicated to providing much-needed renovations to Assembly Hall and to launching IU Athletics’ capital campaign. In recognition of the gift, Assembly Hall will be renamed the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall upon completion of the renovations.

Great care was taken when planning interior renovations to improve the fan experience. All existing restrooms will be fully renovated, and new ones will also be constructed to provide for greater ADA accessibility. Small and limiting concession areas will receive new designs, new equipment and new digital display boards for menus. Similarly, new television screens throughout the facility will provide in-house broadcasts.

Seating areas will be entirely revamped as well. All non-bleacher seating will be refurbished with new red seats and white seat pans, and new premium seating and boxes will be added. Cast-iron railings in the seating bowl will also be painted red, while metal railings in other parts of the facility will be replaced by sleeker acrylic panels to improve both safety and sightlines. A resinous epoxy floor that also showcases the university’s colors will replace concrete flooring on the upper levels.

Perhaps the most visible interior renovation will be the hall’s new three-story, glass-walled entry plaza featuring images of IU sports. Inside, a grand staircase will be located on each side of the facility, and sports memorabilia will line the walls near the new escalators. Windows will also overlook the court, offering a view of the new video board, which will be three times as wide as its predecessor.

Demolition, construction and renovations on Assembly Hall will continue through fall 2016.