CHARLOTTE — Charlotte 49ers Athletic Director Mike Hill declined to disclose specific figures but said the school is making “good progress” in its $100 million facilities fundraising campaign that kicked off last year.
Hill spoke with CBJ to provide an update on the EverGreen Athletics Facilities Master Vision, a 12- to 15-year plan that includes a $102 million first phase of projects. The athletic department created the long-range construction blueprint with Kansas City design firm HOK and Charlotte-based Jenkins Peer Architects.
“Our plans are still full throttle with our fundraising efforts,” Hill said. “We’re just a few months in, and we’ve made really good progress.”
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One project — a softball clubhouse including coaches’ offices and locker rooms — is already moving forward. It is projected to cost $3.25 million. Construction bids have started and the school hopes to have the softball clubhouse open in spring 2024.
Fundraising continues for the remaining projects in phase one, including a baseball clubhouse that will continue to the ballpark, a new soccer and lacrosse stadium, renovated football locker rooms and upgraded men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms.
The largest project, by far, in the first phase is a two-part expansion of the football stadium, pegged at $81.3 million, or roughly 80% of the overall cost. Jerry Richardson Stadium opened in 2013; capacity is 15,300.
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