AD White says Roth Athletic Center construction to finish this summer
4th of 4 rds; Tranquilo GC; Lake Buena Vista, Fla.; 6,645 yds; par: 71; x-won on 7th playoff hole
271 (-13)
It’s been four-plus years since UCF athletics director Danny White has had a permanent office to call his own.
But that’s about to change. As construction winds down on the 45,791-square-foot Roth Athletic Center, situated between the Wayne Densch Sports Center and the Nicholson Fieldhouse, White and his staff are looking forward to moving into their new home this summer.
It’s all part of a multimillion-dollar athletic-facilities upgrade that began a decade ago as part of the construction of Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village, which included the Wayne Densch Sports Center, the Garvy Nutrition Center and the upcoming McNamara Cove.
“That will provide much-needed space for football, much-needed space for men’s and women’s soccer; a lot of our Olympic sports coaches. That’s a big project that will solve a lot of needs. That will finish in July,” White said while describing the progress of the Roth Athletic Center, which will be the headquarters for the athletics-department staff that previously had operated out of the press box and luxury suites within the football stadium.
He said McNamara Cove, a 600-foot lazy river with pools and sand volleyball courts that will be located next to Spectrum Stadium and the football practice fields, is progressing on schedule.
The cove costs will be covered by a $1 million donation from Tom and Stacey McNamara. UCF officials said no student fees or public funds will be used for the cove and they see it as a potential source of revenue, selling tailgating memberships for the space.
“McNamara Cove will be ready by August for the upcoming football season for cove-gating and for our studentathletes to enjoy and congregate,” White said.
White said the school is also working on solutions for video boards for the Olympic sports while also finishing the athletic village and the Nicholson Plaza.
Many of those projects have been on hold until the school finishes the Roth Athletic Center.