The Center will be the new home for the athletic department.

Other significant features of Comcast Center include:

• The center will be a climate-controlled, multipurpose facility which may be used year round for a wide variety of events to serve both the University community and the citizens of the State of Maryland.

• The center will be a student activity center and will be the new home for the department of Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) and 22 sport teams, including men's and women's basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, softball and baseball, etc.

• A 7,000 square foot Academic Support and Career Development Center for the student athletes includes classrooms, tutorial, computer laboratory and study spaces necessary to help the student athletes excel academically.
• The enhanced venues for practices and competition along with improved training facilities for various sports will help fulfill the Title IX, Gender Equity commitment.
• A "Walk of Fame and History (Hall of Fame)" will utilize the center's structure as a back drop to present and feature the accomplishments of notable Maryland athletes and teams.

• "Heritage Hall," a special facility with a view of the basketball court where groups can gather before or after games and which may be used for banquets, meetings or presentations.

• Concession stands are placed strategically on each level eliminating the impediment of "traffic flow" on the concourses and making the concessions more accessible to the fans.

• Abundant restroom facilities are throughout, with the quantity meeting current codes.

• Well-equipped training facilities will enable visitors the opportunity to observe the athlete's routines.

• The center will comply with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). There are approximately 170 wheelchair and companion seat locations throughout the seating bowl.

• On game days students seats will surround the court to create an energetic, collegiate atmosphere and a home court advantage for the Terrapins.

• The second gym has seating for 1,500 and will be used for smaller competitions such as wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball and other athletic practices.

PROJECT UPDATE

The project is progressing and is on schedule to make the anticipated completion date of October 2002, in time for the first basketball game.

The project began construction in May of 2000. As of December 30, 2001 the project was more than 50% complete. The roof, exterior walls and glazing were substantially completed as of the end of December 2001. The heating systems were activated in certain areas to allow for the finish trades to work. Drywall is being painted in the office areas, the bathrooms in the arena are being tiled. The block work for the concession stands continues to be installed as do the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and other systems and work. The seating risers are 95 percent complete with the seats due to arrive in the spring.

The majority of the road and parking lot work on campus has been completed, with the majority of the off campus road work being 80 percent complete. The off campus road work will be completed in the spring/summer of 2002.

The budget continues to be extremely tight. We have seen more unanticipated conditions than expected. In order to maintain the budget, the project continues to undergo refinement, and reductions.