Convocation Center Demolition Begins

Sept. 23, 1999

CORAL GABLES, FL — The University of Miami has begun demolition ofthe student apartments located on the corner of Dickinson Drive (West) andWalsh Avenue on the UM campus. The location is the future site of The RYDERCenter, a multipurpose facility that will become the home of the Universityof Miami men’s and women’s basketball programs, among other uses.

The $36 million facility is expected to be completed for the2001-2002 basketball seasons and is designed as a multipurpose facilityserving the entire university community.

The list of possible events includes: NCAA Division I men’s andwomen’s basketball games, area high school basketball championships,commencement, orientation, convocation, lectures, conferences, theatricalproductions, concerts, student government activities, alumni social events,class reunions, employment fairs and career days, cultural events and townmeetings.

When completed, The Convocation Center will become the focal point of theUM athletic department and the surrounding community providing an abundanceof opportunities, ranging from academic and athletic to campus andcommunity.

The Hurricanes are currently one of the few major Division Iathletic programs in the nation that plays both basketball and footballgames off campus. The state-of-the-art Convocation Center will be built on theside of campus facing and convenient to the Metro Rail, UM’s new parkinggarage, student residences and current athletic facilities.