$12 million "O'Reilly Family Events Center" announced
Patrick Greene
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: News
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"Today, the sun is shining brightly over Springfield and Drury University," said Parnell at the Dec. 19 unveiling ceremony. "A historic moment has been passed for both." Introducing the arena plans as "an early Christmas present," Parnell explained how the new arena, which features more than 4,000 seats, will allow Drury to host regional and national athletic tournaments, as well as other events such as concerts and graduation ceremonies.
"Drury will have to sweat through only two more spring commencements," joked Parnell.
Dr. Edsel Matthews, Drury's vice president for athletic affairs and community relations, explained that in addition to the 4,000 seats the O'Reilly Center will have seven skyboxes behind the team benches. Within the center will be a banquet room with the capacity to hold 200 guests. Training and rehabilitation services will be located in the building as well as offices for 14 Drury coaches. An official Drury Sports Hall of Fame will be featured as well.
The arena itself will be built where Hutchens Field is currently located. It will face Harrison Stadium across the street and will be tied in to the HPER facility and Weiser Gym.
Matthews also said that Weiser Gym, which has hosted Drury events since 1948, will be converted into a student fitness center with an indoor track and a rock-climbing wall installed after the removal of some bleachers.
The O'Reilly family of Springfield has committed to pay half of the total costs of the new arena, giving Drury a gift of $6 million. Matthews stated that all building costs will be covered from private donations and that school funds would not be used in the construction. David O'Reilly, a Drury alumnus, also noted that the arena will be LEED-certified, meaning that the building will be using sustainable materials and designs.
"We're committed to building a sustainable campus. A green building is an improvement, and the O'Reilly Center will be using renewable resources while minimizing the use of non-renewable resources. We will make use of all available technologies to achieve this," he said.
O'Reilly also noted that it does not cost more to build a green building; instead, it costs less. "This building will embrace all concepts of sustainable design."
Parnell came back to say that the O'Reilly Center was not a Drury-exclusive property. "We promise that this is a community resource. We will make it available to and share it with the community of Springfield."
Freshman Keith Bray likes the idea of the new arena. "I think it's pretty cool. The gym we have here now is kind of small and old," said Bray. He also looked forward to graduating from the O'Reilly Center and going there in the future. "I'll like watching games there. It will make our teams look better."
Junior Helen Schlett was largely indifferent. "I don't really go to basketball games," she said. "I hope that they could spend some money on building some other buildings, though."
Article last update: 1/29/08 at 11:21 PM CST
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
shane hood
posted 12/19/07 @ 4:45 PM CST
why does the architecture have to be so bland!!!
Come on Drury has quite a few good buildings on campus, and this does not include the library, new dorms, college park or the science center. (Continued…)
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