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State moves forward with $22 million rebuild of UTC football and athletic complex

This artist's rendering shows plans for the renovations to McKenzie Arena and the new Wolford Family Athletics Center at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The planned construction is now expected to cost $22 million, according to estimates approved last week by the State Building Commission.
This artist's rendering shows plans for the renovations to McKenzie Arena and the new Wolford Family Athletics Center at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The planned construction is now expected to cost $22 million, according to estimates approved last week by the State Building Commission. This artist's rendering shows plans for the renovations to McKenzie Arena and the new Wolford Family Athletics Center at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The planned construction is now expected to cost $22 million, according to estimates approved last week by the State Building Commission.

By Andy Sher 4 min read

NASHVILLE – Plans to renovate and expand UTC’s football and athletic training facilities took a major step last week as a state panel OK’d a contract for a construction manager and general contractor on the estimated $22 million project.

State Building Commissioner members approved the selection of Birmingham, Ala.-based Hoar Construction.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s plans currently call for extensive renovations to an existing 26,300 square feet of space in the nearly 37-year-old McKenzie Arena, along with a new 39,250-square-foot adjoining building to house the Mocs football program with ancillary exercise facilities and more.

Hoar, which has offices in Brentwood, won out over four competing firms with its $1.63 million bid. Selections were scored with a technical score receiving 70% of the weight and the cost proposal receiving 30%.

The highest bid was $1.76 million, according to information from Shelli King, spokeswoman for state Treasurer David Lillard, a State Building Commission member. The project’s designer and architect, approved by the SBC in August, is Derthick, Henlsey & Wilkerson Architects under a $1.27 million contract.