Tennessee Tech launching a series of major campus development projects including a new track facility, a tennis complex, and a Student Spirit Center to accommodate a long-term enrollment goal of 15,000 students.
Senior Vice President for Planning and Finance Claire Stinson said the university is using that enrollment benchmark to determine the appropriate size for new facilities. Stinson said the target represents an increase of approximately 4,000 students over the current population at Tennessee Tech.
“The track and field facility absolutely affects athletics and so does the tennis complex and, you know, it’s just going to be improved facilities,” Stinson said, “We’re relocating the tennis complex and also the track and field.”
Stinson said the new track and field facility is scheduled for completion in June 2027. Stinson said the new tennis complex, which will feature 12 courts, is expected to open in May 2028.
“We want to make sure that our tennis courts are available to our, you know, that we have tennis courts available to all students and then of course we, we do compete in our conference in tennis so we have to have competitive tennis courts as well,” Stinson said. “It is scheduled to open in May of 2028. And it will be on the west, northwest corner of the campus.”
Stinson said the Student Spirit Center will be located at the south end of the football stadium to serve the entire student body year-round. Stinson said the facility will include stadium seating on the north side to allow student organizations to have a dedicated space during football games.
“Well, that’s part of the reason we decided to put some stadium seating on the north side of that building to encourage the students, of course, to have special events during football games, you know, just bring their whole sorority or fraternity or the student organization and just have a special time for their members,” Stinson said.
Stinson said the university is also designing a 70-foot tall University Tower to serve as a visual focal point near the library. Stinson said the tower is funded primarily through an anonymous donor.
“It is a indication of Tennessee Tech as a growing institution,” Stinson said. “Very vibrant, we’re looking, we look at programs all the time. It is just moving the university into the future.”
