Alico Arena expansion earns high scores

Alico Arena, Florida Gulf Coast University’s 15-year-old signature athletics facility, is showing off a sparkling new $4.5 million, 11,000-plus square-foot wing on its eastern side, collectively named the W. Bernard & Elaine Lester Athletics Administrative Complex. (Right side of photo above)

Alico Arena Reception Area Photo — Visitors — most importantly, student-athlete recruits and their families — are greeted by an impressive reception area with décor that highlights Eagle athletic milestones and accomplishments. The area leads to 4,000 square feet of expanded office space for athletics staffers — most notably the basketball coaching staffs, which now have digs twice as big as their old offices.

Replacing the old area where FGCU athletes got medical treatment is a 3,700-square-foot center almost five times the size. Exam and treatment areas, rehab space, meeting and storage areas, offices, and hot and cold 8-person hydrotherapy pools enable the training team to serve many more student-athletes comfortably.

Alico Arena Expansion

Video scouting of opponents and visual reviews and breakdowns of FGCU’s own athletic performances get a huge upgrade in the new 25-seat team theater featuring a 184-inch retractable screen. Comfortable reclining seating and plush carpeting make this study hall of sorts a feature attraction. The facility will also serve as a team lounge for both basketball programs and occasionally be used by other sports.

Speaking of study halls, the new academic center for athletes is 3,600 square feet of tutoring rooms, offices, computer stations and a central study area. The center’s curvature makes it an inviting place for FGCU student-athletes to stay on top of the “student” part of their game.

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News | October 31, 2017

Alico Arena expansion earns high scores