Evangel breaks ground on $18.5M building project

Evangel University this morning broke ground on an $18.5 million building to support the school’s athletic programs.

The 70,000-square-foot Valor Center is being built in the northwest corner of campus near the Ashcroft Center, according to a news release. The project includes the Randy Rowden Training Facility, which will occupy 30,000 square feet on the south side of the Valor Center. Central Missouri philanthropist Shirley Rowden contributed a $1 million gift to the university in May.

Evangel spokesperson Erin Hedlun said Williams Construction is building the facility designed by Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective. It's slated for completion in the summer or fall of 2024, Hedlun added.

The Valor Center will house the university’s basketball, volleyball, football and soccer programs. A 40,000-square-foot arena is designed with a home-game court and two full cross courts for practices and tournaments, with seating capacity expected to be around 1,300, according to the release.

The Randy Rowden Training Facility includes the athletic director’s offices and operations, a training room, athletic medicine hub and VIP box seating overlooking the north end zone of Coryell Field, a donor-funded turf athletic field.

The Valor Center is part of Evangel's $24 million Here.Now capital campaign, according to the release.