Foster Pavilion is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Completed in 2024, the arena hosts the Baylor Bears men's and women's basketball teams. The arena replaced the Ferrell Center for both basketball teams, while the Ferrell Center will be renovated as a home for volleyball and acrobatics and tumbling teams.[5]
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| Full name | Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion |
|---|---|
| Location | Waco, Texas |
| Coordinates | 31°33.4019′N 97°07.2968′W / 31.5566983°N 97.1216133°W |
| Owner | Baylor University |
| Operator | Baylor University |
| Capacity | 7,500[4] |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | June 2022[1] |
| Opened | January 2, 2024[2] |
| Construction cost | $212.6 million[3] |
| Tenants | |
| Baylor Bears (Men's & Women's Basketball) | |
History
editThe arena was first announced in 2019, as a basketball-only facility, with a lead funding gift from an anonymous donor of $100 million.[6] In November 2021, the anonymous donors were revealed as Paul L. Foster and his wife Alejandra, and it was announced that the arena would be named the Foster Pavilion in their honor.[7] The following month, it was announced that the arena would be built as part of a new, $700 million multi-use development along the Brazos River in downtown Waco, across Interstate 35 from the University's campus.[8] Alongside this, it was announced that the City of Waco would provide an additional $65 million in funding, which would be used to add elements to the arena to allow its use as a city-run concert venue 90 days per year.[1] But in March 2022 that changed, with the city council revising down its arena contribution to $34 million while also approving spending of $34.1 million on a nearby parking garage, river walk reconstruction and road improvements, parking and pedestrian planning; with an additional $4.9 million to a private riverfront developer that was approved at the time, the total city contribution was expected to be $73 million to transform the surrounding area. The 90-day agreement was also revised down to allow for the city to hold events at the pavilion on 25 days each year, plus 10 city-booked ticketed performances in the first two years of the arena, and an additional 10 Baylor events annually.[9]
The arena was opened on January 2, 2024, with a men's basketball game against Cornell, which Baylor won 98–79.[2] The women's team played its first game in the arena the following day against conference rival TCU, a 71–50 Baylor victory.[10]
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Saegert, Rhiannon; Smith, JB (2021-12-18). "Downtown Bears: Waco, Baylor partner on $185 million basketball, concert venue in downtown". Waco Tribune-Herald. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ a b Hawkins, Stephen (2 January 2024). "Baylor opens new basketball arena on bank of Brazos River". AP News. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ Saegert, Rhiannon (18 Feb 2022). "Baylor regents OK $27.6 million bump in cost of basketball arena". Waco Tribune-Herald. Retrieved 22 Aug 2022.
- ^ Haag, Michael (2 January 2024). "3 takeaways from No. 18 Baylor's win vs. Cornell: Bears open Foster Pavilion era in style". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ Halliburton, Suzanne (2019-05-07). "Baylor to build new $105M basketball arena". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ Werner, John (2019-05-07). "Baylor announces lead gift for $105 million basketball facility". Waco Tribune-Herald. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ Cherry, Brice; Werner, John (2021-11-13). "Baylor notebook: Bears pick up first win over Top 5 foe since 2015". Waco Tribune-Herald. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ Umana, Kahdeeja (2021-12-22). "Baylor University, City of Waco partner for riverfront location of multipurpose basketball facility". KXXV. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ Saegert, Rhiannon (2022-03-01). "TIF contribution for Baylor basketball arena down, along with days for city of Waco events there". Waco Tribune-Herald. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ Hawkins, Stephen (3 January 2023). "No. 6 Baylor women open new arena with 71-50 win over previously unbeaten No. 23 TCU". USA Today.
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