UI wrestling facility costs grow

Hunter
02/16/22

The new University of Iowa wrestling facility will cost significantly more than originally proposed, according to documents provided to the Board of Regents.

The Gazette reports that the original proposed cost of $17.3 million is now at $26.5 million, an increase of 53 percent. The size of the facility has also increased from its original 37.000 square feet to 38,500 square feet.

Construction of the facility has been delayed as well; the original proposal indicated that the majority of the project would be complete by this May; the updated plans call for construction to begin in June and be complete by spring 2024.

The new two-story facility will feature many amenities, including women’s and men’s locker rooms, strength and conditioning space, recruiting room, student-athlete lounge and an underground tunnel leading to Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Rising construction costs now account for $20 million of the $26.5 million estimate; the rest of the budget consists of $3.4 million for design, a million dollars for equipment and furniture, and $2 million to cover contingency costs.

The project will be funded by Athletic Department gifts.