WILLIAMSBURG — Construction of the new Mackesy Sports Performance Center at William & Mary continues towards an on-time opening this winter.
The athletics complex, which is adjacent to Kaplan Arena, broke ground in May 2022. The newly imagined space will start a new chapter in Tribe Athletics.
“There are a lot of athletics departments around the country that are building sport-specific facilities all over campus. We’re doubling down on one magnet for the majority of our student athletes,” said Brian Mann, Director of Athletics.
The center will be home to strength and conditioning areas, hydrotherapy pools, a sports medicine area and a full-size practice court. Prior to the return of fall athletes, the new academic lounge will open. New coach offices will also be open prior to the start of the academic year.
From renovated locker rooms and a recruiting lounge to a second weight room, the expansion is massive.
“My favorite phrase about this whole thing is ‘every single student athlete, every single day.’ What that means is that every single student athlete that we have is going to have a more positive experience every single day as a result of this,” Mann said.
The center comes on the heels of the work that was completed in the summer of 2024, which was centered on the fan experience at Kaplan Arena. The arena is now home to a new video board, sound system and lighting.
“It not only helps us put on a better event, whether we’re hosting men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, or men’s and women’s gymnastics. It’s also allowed us to attract and better support university and campus events and gatherings in that space,” Mann said.
The Athletics department is also looking into new seating and concession options as a next step in the project.
“We want to make sure we are giving a wonderful experience to all the students on campus. Whether it’s the number of football games where we had more than 2,000 students attend, the numbers of basketball games with over 1,000 students in the building, or when the women’s basketball program made their incredible run to the NCAA tournament, I think we have a responsibility to our university and our community to provide those kind of unifying experiences that create community, that create a culture, and that put our student athletes at the forefront of our university,” Mann said.
According to Mann, the construction timeline is right on schedule, with a targeted opening at the end of 2025.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place once construction is complete. For more information on the project, visit tribeathletics.com/feature/wmcomplex.