LA CROSSE, Wis. — The new 144,000 square-foot fieldhouse at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse opened Monday alongside the start of the spring semester.
The fieldhouse project originally broke ground back in Aug. 2020, just east of Roger Harring Stadium. University officials said the project would help the university, “keep pace with the continued growth in athletic and recreational programs on campus” and “growth in the Exercise and Sport Science Department.”
It would also help free up Mitchell Hall and increase instructional spaces.
Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field teams at the school had already gotten a glimpse of the space with a soft opening in December. That opening allowed teams to practice on the 200 meter NCAA competition indoor track inside the facility.
Now opening for athletes and employees, the facility allows for a variety of activities, including student recreation and indoor track and field competitions.
Also featured in the space is an all-sport surface infield, a walking and jogging track on the second level of the track, space for 1,500 spectators, an office suite, a 2,600 gross-square-feet soccer field support building, rooms for team meetings, men’s and women’s locker rooms and showers, and more.
Officials said that during specific times, employees will also be able to use the space for their open run and walk times. Those will be on Monday through Friday between 6 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The projected budget for the UW-La Crosse athletic project was just under $50 million.