Aug. 21, 2008

VIDEO: Mackey Complex Project 

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - With fall semester classes at Purdue set to start Monday, the campus is abuzz with activity.

At the same time, efforts are moving full steam ahead related to the Mackey Complex project, both from a fund-raising standpoint and physical work.

On Wednesday, the university announced that six area residents have donated gifts totaling $1.5 million to Purdue's Access and Success fundraising drive for scholarships, programs and athletics, including the Mackey project.

Gary and Michelle "Shelly" Henriott, Gary and Michele Lehman, and Jim and Mary Jo Risk - all Purdue alumni - made donations to spearhead the community portion of the drive, which will seek donations from Lafayette and West Lafayette area community members through Dec. 31, 2009.

One million dollars of the new gifts will support Phase I of the campaign, which includes the $99.5 million renovation and expansion of Mackey.

Purdue has raised nearly $24 million of the $32 million private fundraising goal for Mackey.

Meanwhile, the initial construction work gets under way this week with excavation for the new Grand Prix track on the west side of campus near the intersection of McCormick Road and Cherry Lane. That process is expected to be completed by Dec. 15.

The design development phase of the Mackey Complex is continuing. The original concept drawings are being refined to ensure that they function as designed. This phase is expected to be completed next month, and final drawings will be produced to be used by the contractors.

The first bid package relating to the Mackey Complex primary site and facility itself are scheduled to be sent out around Dec. 1, with work to move the football practice fields and parking lots beginning in mid-to-late February or early March of 2009.

Work on Mackey Arena is scheduled to begin immediately after conclusion of the 2008-09 basketball season and will continue until basketball practice resumes in the fall of 2009.

Improvements to the 40-year-old home of the Boilermakers will include improved arena seating, ticket offices and other amenities for fans, as well as the opportunity to bring academic, athletic and training needs into one complex to benefit all student-athletes. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2011-12.

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, which is self-supporting and receives no tax dollars, will pay for the project completely with gifts, increased concession and premium seating revenue, and income generated from the Big Ten Network and other conference television funds.

For the latest information on the project and updated artist renderings of the facility, click here.