With the West Gym all but officially closed, the Panther Train is looking for a new permanent home on campus. Today UNI officials announced the folding in of a new stand alone training facility for wrestling into the larger, “Our Tomorrow” fundraising campaign, pending approval from the Board of Regents.
Conceptual renderings and final costs of the new facility are yet to be determined.
“Adding a new wrestling training facility to the Our Tomorrow campaign is part of our unwavering commitment to further elevate our wrestling program that competes in the Big 12 Conference,” UNI President Mark Nook said in a release earlier today. “We strongly support all our student-athletes at UNI, but the situation at the West Gym escalated to the point where a long-term solution is needed to keep our wrestling program thriving for years to come. Incorporating a new wrestling facility into our existing fundraising campaign is that solution. It is an important part of our commitment to grow the sport of wrestling in Iowa.”
The announcement comes in the wake of UNI wrestling having to vacate the West Gym and move into the Mat Club off-campus in Cedar Falls. Head coach Doug Schwab has spoken about the move and remains positive about his teams’ situation going into next season.
“I am extremely grateful to Shawn Kelly and his whole crew (at the USA Mat Club),” Schwab most recently in the release from UNI. “They have fully supported our vision and been hands-on throughout this whole process. We couldn’t have done this without them or the men on our team who have stepped up from day one and have always been available and willing to help at a moment’s notice.”
Though there are no details yet on the new facility, there is a commitment from UNI to incorporate the history of the West Gym.
“Without question, we want to find opportunities to honor the storied history of the West Gym in our new training center,” Nook said in the release. “While our volleyball and basketball programs also competed there previously, there’s no question that UNI wrestlers past and present have a special affinity for the West Gym. We’ll be very intentional in ensuring that the legacy of the West Gym lives on for future Panthers.”
From the “Our Tomorrow” website:
“In October 2022, the University of Northern Iowa Foundation publicly launched Our Tomorrow: The Campaign for UNI. With a goal of raising $250 million by 2026, this fundraising campaign is the boldest, most ambitious ever undertaken at UNI. The Our Tomorrow campaign will invest in all areas of the university — every college, every student.
By the time of the public launch, UNI has already seen the support of nearly 25,000 unique donors. As of August 2023, the Our Tomorrow campaign is 96% of the way to meeting the goal, having raised $241 million. It will take gifts of all sizes from alumni, donors, foundations and corporate partners to push us across the finish line.”
Much of that money is earmarked for certain projects around campus, and is not a general “pool” of cash that can be pulled out for any given project. The campaign has already seen a restoration of the bells in the Campanile carillon, in addition to seeing nine new bells installed. Gallagher Bluedorn is also receiving more than a face-lift, with several new spaces built inside as well as a more modern and dynamic entry plaza being constructed.
As far as other athletic projects go, the UNI-Dome is set to receive a major renovation from the campaign as well, with three phases set to take place. At least one step of phase one is already completed, with the building of the football team meeting room, and replacing the roof and adding entry and concourse spaces on the west side of the dome up next.