New $21 million weight room approved for Michigan football

32,000-square-foot performance center to be built in Oosterbaan Field House

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan Board of Regents announced Thursday that they have approved a $21 million weight room at the Bennie Oosterbaan Field House for the Michigan football team.

The new football performance center will be 32,000 square feet and will be built inside the 78,000-square-foot field house, which will be used for strength and conditioning training by the football team.

Recommended Videos



Michigan said the project will be paid for by "athletic department resources and gifts."

The project also calls for the addition of a 5,000-square-foot mezzanine level, the school announced.

Oosterbaan Field House is currently home to the school's men's and women's lacrosse teams. Several teams also use the facility for indoor practices.

The field house is connected to Schembechler Hall and the Al Glick Field House, which are used by the football program.

The project includes replacing the roof, installing new fire alarm and suppression systems and upgrades to the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems throughout the building.

Michigan announced Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and HNTB will design the project.

Construction is expected to be finished in the winter of 2018. Parking will not be impacted.

The project is expected to provide an average of 56 on-site construction jobs.


About the Author:

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.