UI seeks approval to plan for new field hockey facility, Carver-Hawkeye Arena renovation

The University of Iowa is seeking approval from the Iowa Board of Regents to move forward with plans to construct a new field hockey operations building adjacent to Grant Field and to proceed with planning renovations to Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Field hockey operations building

Designed to better support student-athletes and bring team activities together in one building specifically for their needs, the project carries an estimated budget of $8.65 million and will be funded entirely through donor support. If approved, construction is anticipated to begin this summer, with completion targeted for summer 2027.

"This operations building will be truly transformational for Iowa field hockey and the future of our program," says head coach Lisa Cellucci. "It represents far more than just a facility; it is an investment in our student-athletes, our championship culture, and the continued pursuit of excellence that has defined Iowa field hockey for five decades on the national stage.

"This facility will elevate the daily experience for our student-athletes, strengthen our ability to recruit and develop elite talent, and help Iowa field hockey continue to compete for Big Ten and national championships. It is difficult to fully put into words what this means to our program."

Iowa, the Big Ten's winningest field hockey program, has won 211 conference games since 1981, and a conference-best 30 NCAA Tournament wins in 30 NCAA Tournament appearances. Iowa has advanced to 29 Sweet Sixteens, 21 Elite Eights, and 12 Final Fours. The Hawkeyes won the 1986 NCAA championship, becoming the first Midwestern program to claim a national title. The program has produced 107 All-Americans and has won 16 Big Ten regular season championships and six Big Ten Tournament titles.

The new facility creates a centralized location that supports the full range of team activities. Planned features include home, visitor, and staff locker rooms, coaches' offices, film room, conference room, and a multi-purpose space. Additional amenities will include an athletic training room, lobby, mudroom, and dedicated storage.

"This project is an important investment in the continued success of our field hockey program and in the overall student-athlete experience at Iowa," says Beth Goetz, the Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair. "By bringing training, competition, and team spaces together in one location, we are creating an environment that supports excellence, fosters team culture, and positions our program for sustained success in the Big Ten and beyond."

Having a permanent home at Grant Field will be incredibly meaningful because it will honor the generations of women who built Iowa field hockey into one of the elite programs in the country, says Cellucci.

"This building will stand as a tribute to their legacy and ensures that future Hawkeyes will continue to build on the championship standard they created," says Cellucci.

The proposed facility would be designed with energy efficiency in mind, including lighting integrated with daylighting, occupancy sensors in office spaces, and architectural features such as roof overhangs and window treatments to reduce heat and glare.

The field hockey team will continue to practice and compete at Grant Field throughout construction.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena renovation

Opened in 1983, Carver-Hawkeye Arena has served as the home of Iowa basketball, wrestling, and gymnastics for more than four decades, while also hosting commencement ceremonies and major campus and community events.

Recent enhancements - including the installation of student section risers and a new court -already have injected new energy into the building and reinforced the electric home-court advantage that defines Hawkeye athletics. The proposed modernization would build on that momentum with a comprehensive vision for the arena's future.

The proposed project, estimated between $50 million and $70 million, would be funded by private gifts and completed in carefully sequenced phases to minimize disruption during athletic seasons and major events.

Planned improvements would include adding premium seating options and club space; and upgrading the concourse, concessions, restrooms, and seating bowl, with a strong emphasis on improving accessibility and fan comfort; and enhancing the game-day atmosphere.

Together, these upgrades would modernize Carver-Hawkeye Arena to meet the evolving needs of Hawkeye athletics while strengthening its role as a vibrant gathering place for students, alumni, and the broader community.

"This initiative began with a feasibility study in 2023, and due to the incredible success of our silent leadership fundraising campaign, we are prepared to take this exciting next step," says Goetz. "Recent improvements like the student section risers and new court have shown what's possible. Additional renovations will make events more exciting, more comfortable, and ensure we preserve an atmosphere that helps our teams compete at the highest level."

While the project may result in a modest reduction of the arena's current 14,995 seating capacity, the redesigned space would provide a wider range of seating, viewing, and premium experiences that fans prefer.