Mortenson Construction Breaks Ground on New ASU Sports Facility

Phoenix, AZ – Mortenson Construction will add another sports-related facility to its list of projects. The Arizona State University Weatherup Center, a practice facility for men’s and woman’s basketball, broke ground last week.

Mortenson Construction will complete the 50,000 square-foot facility in April 2009. It will include two practice basketball courts, a cardio room, storage, equipment, laundry and locker rooms, coaches’ offices, and film review rooms. The ASU Weatherup Center, the first facility to be built as part of ASU Athletics’ new master plan, will be located near the Sun Devil’s Farrington Stadium on the north part of campus in Tempe.

“Mortenson Construction is pleased to partner with Arizona State University and its athletic department to bring one of the finest collegiate practice facilities in the country to the ASU,” said Tom Harrison, construction executive and manager of the project for Mortenson Construction. “Not only will the amenities be top notch, but Mortenson also will integrate environmentally friendly and energy efficient features into the structure.”

The $12.7 million project is the first proposed ASU athletic facility to pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification. The LEED system encourages and accelerates the adoption of sustainable green building and development practices.

Mortenson’s related experience also includes large professional sports venues such as the Dodgers/White Sox Spring Training Facility in Glendale (to be completed March 2009), Coors Field in Denver, and sports-focused community facilities like Big League Dreams Sports Park in Gilbert, which opened early 2008. Additionally, Mortenson Construction renovated suites and installed Chase Field new center field display board in downtown Phoenix.