Concordia University Wisconsin has announced its plans to build a new indoor training facility, the Catalyst Sports Training Center, to be located west of Kapco Park and south of Fitting Field.
The proposed 6,000-square-foot multipurpose facility will include a turf training surface, four batting/pitching tunnels, a covered patio for programming, and protective netting to support activities of all types. Construction is scheduled to be completed by early November.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 3 p.m. at the location of the building project. Some 300 people were in attendance to ceremoniously commence the project.
The facility will serve students in intramural and educational programming, and support student-athletes’ training and strength and conditioning. It will also serve as a community resource through camp and clinic programming, and as a space to be rented on a limited basis.
A groundbreaking ceremony for Concordia’s new indoor training facility was held Sept. 6.
Concordia boasts 29 varsity-level athletics teams, and 35 percent of its undergraduate students participate in a varsity sport. Additionally, an estimated 75 percent of students participate in intramurals.
“I estimate that more than half of our undergraduate population will make use of this facility,” Director of Athletics Dr. Rob Barnhill said. “This facility will not only allow us to better meet the needs of our current students, it will enhance our athletic department’s opportunities to expand its outreach to the community.”
The Catalyst Sports Training Center would not be possible without the generous support of friends, alumni and community partners, says Barnhill.
Among those who supported the project is Matt Burow, whose Milwaukee-based construction company, Catalyst Construction, LLC, is the namesake of the new building.
Burow said he and his family are proud supporters of Concordia. He is a new member of Concordia’s Foundation Board, and his wife, Jodi, received her master’s degree from CUW in 2008.
“To have a Christian value system integrated into the learning system is extremely important for students,” Burow said. “Having a great campus is an important part of attracting students so that they can experience those quality faith offerings, and this was just one way that my wife and I felt we could help support Concordia in that respect.”
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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