The Opus Group (Opus) today announced that construction on the Gerdin Fieldhouse for Athletics and Wellness at Luther College is underway. The project includes a major renovation of the existing 200,000-square-foot athletic facility and a 15,787-square-foot addition.
Built in 1963, Regents Center has long housed the Luther Norse athletic teams. With college athletics becoming more competitive and athletic facilities more state-of-the-art, Luther recognized a need to invest in the facility to support its student-athlete recruitment and retention efforts. Construction on the Gerdin Fieldhouse for Athletics and Wellness, possible through a historic $10 million gift from Michael ('92) and Nicole Gerdin and the Gerdin Charitable Foundation, marks one of the largest renovation projects in Luther's 162-year history.
“The renovation of Regents Center is a continuation of more than 10 years of significant investments in our student-athletes, student body, faculty and the entire Decorah community – 10 years during which we built an aquatic center and upgraded our football field, tennis courts, softball and baseball stadium, indoor track and our sports and recreation center," said Jenifer Ward, president of Luther College. “This is an exciting and transformative time at Luther, and we are grateful to everyone who has helped make it possible."
Among those Ward and Luther's Director of Facilities Jay Utoff are grateful for is Opus, the college's design-build partner on the Gerdin Fieldhouse as well as on the above-mentioned athletic facilities and several additional campus improvements over the last 25 years, including construction of its Center for the Arts, the Sampson-Hoffland Science Center, an addition to the Jenson-Noble Hall of Music and renovations to Miller and Dieseth Halls.
“Luther College has been a tremendous client for many years, and it's been a true honor to play a part in bringing their vision to life. Since the outset, their leadership team has fully embraced our design-build model, recognizing its unique ability to improve efficiencies and maximize budgets without sacrificing quality," said Jeff Smith, senior vice president of construction with Opus. “We are very happy to again bring our expertise to campus as the Gerdin Fieldhouse takes shape."
Work on the Gerdin Fieldhouse, which began in August, includes construction of a new 5,787-square-foot public lobby on the facility's north end to include a new concession stand, restrooms and a Hall of Fame space to highlight Norse athletic achievements and student abilities. A new 10,200-square-foot wrestling training complex will also be built and extensive renovations will be made to the existing basketball and volleyball arena. In addition, athlete training and rehab facilities, locker rooms and meeting and study spaces for use by all 21 Norse athletic teams will also be renovated. Construction is expected to be complete by December 2025.
Opus is the design-builder working in partnership with RDG Planning & Design.
Built in 1963, Regents Center has long housed the Luther Norse athletic teams. With college athletics becoming more competitive and athletic facilities more state-of-the-art, Luther recognized a need to invest in the facility to support its student-athlete recruitment and retention efforts. Construction on the Gerdin Fieldhouse for Athletics and Wellness, possible through a historic $10 million gift from Michael ('92) and Nicole Gerdin and the Gerdin Charitable Foundation, marks one of the largest renovation projects in Luther's 162-year history.
“The renovation of Regents Center is a continuation of more than 10 years of significant investments in our student-athletes, student body, faculty and the entire Decorah community – 10 years during which we built an aquatic center and upgraded our football field, tennis courts, softball and baseball stadium, indoor track and our sports and recreation center," said Jenifer Ward, president of Luther College. “This is an exciting and transformative time at Luther, and we are grateful to everyone who has helped make it possible."
Among those Ward and Luther's Director of Facilities Jay Utoff are grateful for is Opus, the college's design-build partner on the Gerdin Fieldhouse as well as on the above-mentioned athletic facilities and several additional campus improvements over the last 25 years, including construction of its Center for the Arts, the Sampson-Hoffland Science Center, an addition to the Jenson-Noble Hall of Music and renovations to Miller and Dieseth Halls.
“Luther College has been a tremendous client for many years, and it's been a true honor to play a part in bringing their vision to life. Since the outset, their leadership team has fully embraced our design-build model, recognizing its unique ability to improve efficiencies and maximize budgets without sacrificing quality," said Jeff Smith, senior vice president of construction with Opus. “We are very happy to again bring our expertise to campus as the Gerdin Fieldhouse takes shape."
Work on the Gerdin Fieldhouse, which began in August, includes construction of a new 5,787-square-foot public lobby on the facility's north end to include a new concession stand, restrooms and a Hall of Fame space to highlight Norse athletic achievements and student abilities. A new 10,200-square-foot wrestling training complex will also be built and extensive renovations will be made to the existing basketball and volleyball arena. In addition, athlete training and rehab facilities, locker rooms and meeting and study spaces for use by all 21 Norse athletic teams will also be renovated. Construction is expected to be complete by December 2025.
Opus is the design-builder working in partnership with RDG Planning & Design.
About The Opus Group
The Opus Group® (Opus) is a family of commercial real estate development, construction and design companies headquartered in Minneapolis with offices and projects across the country. Opus operates as an integrated, multidisciplinary team with expertise in development, capital markets and finance; project management and construction; and architectural design. Opus includes Opus Holding, L.L.C. and its operating subsidiaries: Opus Development Company, L.L.C., Opus Design Build, L.L.C. and Opus AE Group, L.L.C. Specializing in industrial, residential, office, retail and institutional projects, Opus has broad capabilities, deep experience and a proven design-build model that delivers innovative solutions and exceptional results for customers and partners. For more information, visit www.opus-group.com and follow The Opus Group on LinkedIn and Instagram.