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Northwestern set to begin work on sports complex

Thanks to millions in donations, Northwestern University will break ground next week on its Lakefront Athletics and Recreation Complex in Evanston.

Construction will begin Nov. 13 immediately following a ground-breaking ceremony, Northwestern athletics officials said in a statement released Friday.

Here are some key details provided in the new release from the university:

• The complex will include a fieldhouse that will provide a large, indoor multipurpose facility for football practice as well as Olympic sports team practices and competitions, recreational activities and non-sporting events. It will be named Ryan Fieldhouse in honor of alumni Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan. The indoor playing surface will be named Wilson Field in honor of a $15 million gift from alumni Stephen R. and Susan K. Wilson.

It will also include:

• The Walter Athletics Center, a state-of-the-art facility that will house academic support services for more than 500 student-athletes, a nutrition center and dining facility, a sports performance center, and office space for coaches and administrators. The building is being named in recognition of a $40 million gift from alumni Mark and Kimbra Walter.

• Strength and conditioning space for Olympic sports teams.

• Seating to accommodate campus events such as University convocations, Dance Marathon and other community functions.

• Sports medicine facilities.

• Locker rooms for multiple varsity programs.

In addition, the Norris Aquatics Center, home of Wildcats swimming and diving, will be expanded. Enhancements will include a new dryland training area, locker rooms, coaches' offices and multipurpose meeting space.

The entire project also will incorporate the replacement of three existing recreational basketball courts and an indoor running track currently located in the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion.

"This is a landmark day for our entire campus community," said Jim Phillips, vice president for athletics and recreation. "Ryan Fieldhouse and the Walter Athletics Center will provide the finest support, training and developmental facilities for Northwestern student-athletes in an incomparable location. This transformational facility will seamlessly integrate athletics into the heart of campus, offer new recreational opportunities for Northwestern students, faculty and staff and enhance the use of the lakefront by the entire Evanston community. We are tremendously excited to begin construction and realize this vision."

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