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Edgar O. and Melanie A. Weller Tennis Center
The University of Texas broke ground and initiated construction of the Edgar O. and Melanie A. Weller Tennis Center on the grounds of The University of Texas Golf Club. The $8.8 million facility, which features six indoor tennis courts and four outdoor tennis courts, was dedicated and officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 27, 2013.
"This is an exciting day for Texas Tennis," said UT head coach Michael Center. "I'd like to thank the Weller family for getting this project started, and I'd like to send a special `thank you' to Graham Whaling for his contributions to finishing this project. There were a lot of people involved over the course of time who helped bring this to fruition. It is a great day for our tennis programs."
The facility bears the names of the late Edgar O. Weller, a former Texas tennis letterwinner, and his wife, the late Melanie A. Weller. The Wellers established the Edgar O. and Melanie A. Weller Charitable Remainder Trust to provide significant funding for the facility.
"There have been so many people who have toiled tirelessly to make this happen," added UT head women's tennis coach Patty Fendick-McCain. "We are so grateful to our donors for making this happen. This facility is something our tennis programs have needed very badly, and we're absolutely thrilled to have a venue we can use in inclement weather and as a back-up site for our home matches. We are grateful that so many people, including former players, made such a commitment to our program."
As the indoor home for the University of Texas men's and women's tennis programs, the Longhorns will be able to utilize the Weller Tennis Center for team practices and to host collegiate tournaments and dual matches. Texas Tennis will continue to use Penick-Allison Tennis Center on the UT campus for outdoor practices, tournaments and dual matches.
The Edgar O. and Melanie A. Weller Tennis Center
Location: The University of Texas Golf Club (between 1st and 9th fairways)
Architect: CCI (Irving, Texas)
Construction manager: Spawglass
Tennis courts: 6 indoor, 4 outdoor
Total cost (construction and purchase of land): $8.8 million
Completion date: February 2013
Walter W. Fondren III Athletics Leadership Center
Construction of the Walter W. Fondren III Athletics Leadership Center on the seventh floor of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is completed. The new space was constructed to consolidate the management team and leadership functions of UT Athletics into one area. The spacious suite (34,000 square feet) includes executive offices, business offices, marketing, computer services, sports information, men's and women's basketball offices, travel services, and human resources, as well as The Longhorn Foundation. This area is named the Walter W. Fondren III Athletics Leadership Center, and it will serve as the primary entry point for all athletics department leadership services and facilities.
It is important to note that the project will not only benefit UT Athletics; it will also release 33,665 square feet of space in Bellmont Hall to be used for academic programs, offices, classrooms, academic centers and Air Force ROTC. Bellmont is the primary home of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, the academic unit within the College of Education that prepares students for careers in the areas of sport and sport management, physical fitness, health education, and physical education teaching. The Department also administers the general University Physical Activity Program, the Summer Sports School, and the Fitness Institute of Texas. Space to accommodate these academic and outreach programs is at a premium. Before construction the entire second floor of Bellmont was dedicated to UT Athletics for leadership functions and administrative offices. With the new Walter W. Fondren III Athletics Leadership Center now completed in DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, the vacated area in Bellmont will become available for academic use, while UT Athletics will be accommodated in a space much more suited to its needs.
Sports Medicine/Strength and Conditioning Center
The UT Athletics Department began construction in the basement of the Red McCombs Red Zone on the new sports medicine/strength and condition facility. This area will become the primary sports medicine center, while supporting our basketball, baseball, football, track and field, soccer and volleyball satellite facilities. The 20,000 square ft. of space will be outfitted with a full complement of the best medical, rehabilitation, strength/conditioning equipment and include an aquatic therapy center. The facility will feature a medical clinic that houses a full-time physician and St. David’s nurse, allowing a provision of full-service medical care, including fluoroscopy, diagnostic digital ultrasound, laboratory and pharmaceutical services. Areas within the space will have sports nutrition consultation and education, as well as provision of nutritional supplements. The new facility is designed to maximize the space for multiple uses and functions and collaboration amongst the Sports Medicine and Sports Performance staffs. When the area is completed it will be more efficient and convenient for all of our student-athletes. The completion of this facility is projected to be May 2013.
