The Covelli Center is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The 3,700-seat facility is situated at 2640 Fred Taylor Drive, the area provides a home to seven varsity sports teams. The building is attached the Jennings Wrestling Practice Facility.

Covelli Center
Covelli Center is located in Ohio
Covelli Center
Covelli Center
Location in Ohio
Covelli Center is located in the United States
Covelli Center
Covelli Center
Location in the United States
Address2640 Fred Taylor Drive
LocationColumbus, Ohio, U.S.
Coordinates40°0′13″N 83°0′28″W / 40.00361°N 83.00778°W / 40.00361; -83.00778
Public transitCOTA & CABS
OwnerOhio State University
OperatorOhio State University Department of Athletics
TypeMulti-purpose stadium
Genre(s)Sport
Seating typeBleacher, standing Room
Capacity3,700
Construction
Broke groundSeptember 2017
Opened4 June 2019 (2019-06-04)
Construction cost$48.9 million
ArchitectMoody Nolan/Populous
Structural engineerPinnacle Infotech
General contractorGilbane Building Company
Tenants
Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA)
Women’s basketball (secondary) 2019–present
Fencing 2019–present
Men's gymnastics 2019–present
Women's gymnastics 2019–present
Men's volleyball 2019–present
Women's volleyball 2019–present
Wrestling 2019–present
Website
OhioStateBuckeyes.com

About

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The 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) facility was opened on June 4, 2019, and serves as the home to the fencing, men's and women's gymnastics, men's and women's volleyball, and wrestling programs. The site also occasionally serves as a venue for the women's basketball team. This state-of-the-art arena is able to be configured to accommodate several athletic events and includes 10 locker rooms, seven coach's offices as well as athletic training and meeting spaces.[1]

Construction of the arena began in September 2017 and was originally slated to open in 2018, but was delayed until June 2019.[2]

According to Ohio State, the facility hosted 158 student-athletes, 58 competitions and around 1,500 youth campers in its first year.[3]

Plans

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The building was originally intended to replace the aging St. John Arena, which was built in 1956. After a public outcry, university officials changed the plan and built it in its current location. However, with the new location, 50 graduate-student apartments were torn down in Buckeye Village. Additionally, it raised the cost from an estimated $30 million to nearly $50 million.[4]

Naming

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The facility was named after Sam Covelli after he and his wife Caryn donated $10 million towards the project. Covelli is the founder and president of Covelli Enterprises, which is the largest Panera Bread franchisee. The remaining costs for the project were raised through private donors.[5]

Tenants

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  • Women's basketball – Hosting select games at the Covelli Center
  • Fencing
  • Men's and women's volleyball – Practice and match facility for both teams
  • Men's and women's gymnastics – Meet facility
  • Wrestling – Meet facility

References

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  1. ^ Wynn, Sarah (2019-06-18). "Ohio State Athletics celebrates grand opening of Covelli Center". WSYX. Retrieved 2020-01-10.
  2. ^ "In the News: Ohio State new Covelli Center thrills coaches | Facilities Operations and Development". fod.osu.edu. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
  3. ^ "Covelli Center". Ohio State Buckeyes. 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2020-01-10.
  4. ^ "Construction of Covelli Arena disrupts Buckeye Village residents". The Lantern. 2018-01-09. Retrieved 2020-01-10.
  5. ^ Wynn, Sarah (2019-06-18). "Ohio State Athletics celebrates grand opening of Covelli Center". WSYX. Retrieved 2020-01-10.
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