CEDAR FALLS -- The Board of Regents Thursday gave administrators at Iowa State University approval to move forward with the purchase of an $8 million basketball practice facility.

The practice facility would be built by an Ames developer who would donate the land to the university upon completion of the project. The university would then be responsible for the cost of the building, which will total no more than $6.9 million. An additional $1.1 million has been budgeted for fixtures and telecom costs. It is expected to be complete by next fall.

Originally, the university had looked at building a new practice facility attached to Hilton Coliseum.

"The price tag on that was $35 to $40 million. Clearly that is out of reach for a practice facility," said President Gregory Geoffroy.

The proposed practice facility would provide full-size practice courts, and offices for athletic programs. The university expects a combination of athletic gift revenues and short-term master lease revenue to finance the facility.

Geoffroy said the new 37,400-square-foot facility, located about three miles from campus, would also improve the quality of life for student athletes. Currently basketball players play all their games in Hilton, but share practice time in Hilton, State Gym and the Forker Building.

Both buildings are used for campus activities during the day, forcing players to practice in the evening, "when they should be studying," Geoffroy said.

Jamie Pollard, the university's athletic director, said the new facility will also help recruit new student athletes. He said the current practice situation is fast becoming the No. 1 reason students say they chose another school.

"The opportunity presented is exciting for administrators and our athletes. This is a need, and we are trying to fill that need in a way that is not lavish," he said. "I would describe this as a mid-size car, not a luxury SUV."

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