Gilbane Building Company and Massaro Construction Group break ground at the University of Pittsburgh’s Arena and Sports Performance Complex
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – May 18, 2023 – The joint venture team of Gilbane Building Company and Massaro Construction Group (Gilbane | Massaro) recently joined the University of Pittsburgh and HTNB to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new $240 million arena and sports performance complex (ASPC) at Pitt as part of the Victory Heights master plan.
“The University of Pittsburgh is honored to partner with Gilbane Building Company and Massaro Construction Group on this historic project,” said Heather Lyke, director of athletics at Pitt. “This state-of-the-art arena and sports performance complex will revolutionize our upper campus and provide championship-caliber competition and training facilities for Pitt student-athletes. I continuously marvel at the work being done on a daily basis and look forward to celebrating more exciting milestones with our great partners as the project continues to surge ahead.”
The 3,000-seat multi-purpose arena will be a cutting-edge athletic performance center for 16 out of 19 intercollegiate athletic programs at Pitt, representing more than 85% of the student-athletes at the university. The 240,000 SF facility will include a competition venue for volleyball, gymnastics, and wrestling – three of the university’s nationally-ranked programs. The building will feature spectator facilities, food service, team practice facilities and locker rooms, sports nutrition, a weight room with space dedicated to sports science, and a sports medicine facility. Adjacent to the Petersen Events Center, the ASPC transforms the Oakland campus with open community space located on the roof with views of campus below.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the University of Pittsburgh on this iconic facility for student-athletes,” said Gilbane’s Pittsburgh Business Leader James Dudt. “The ASPC will support the tremendous amount of training that Pitt teams focus on to prepare for championship wins in a well-rounded way with critical nutrition, strength, and sports medicine spaces. Gilbane | Massaro is excited to build a new home for these teams that reflects and facilitates the dedication they bring every day.” Massaro’s President Steven Massaro echoes Dudt’s sentiments. “Massaro has been working on the University of Pittsburgh campus since the 1970s,” Massaro says. “Our father and Massaro Corporation’s founder, Joseph A. Massaro, Jr., spoke often about how important it was to him and the firm to work for the University of Pittsburgh. Gilbane | Massaro is humbled and honored to be a part of helping transform the upper campus and propel the University of Pittsburgh to greater heights.”
Learn more about the project and the Victory Heights master plan here and get ready to cheer on the Panthers in their new home in 2025 – Hail to Pitt!
About Gilbane Building Company
Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services – from preconstruction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build, and facility management services – for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. Gilbane first established a presence in the Pittsburgh market in 1987 and has built a wide range of projects in markets such as healthcare, higher education, and commercial in the area. For more information, visit www.gilbaneco.com.
About Massaro Construction Group
Since 1967, Massaro Corporation has been shaping the landscape of Western Pennsylvania and beyond by providing our clients with the highest quality in construction management/general contracting services. Beyond the bricks and mortar of construction, we have built our customer relationships on strong foundations of integrity, trust, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right. Family-owned and values-driven for fifty-five years, Massaro Corporation aspires to be a role model for our industry by providing our customers with an enjoyable construction experience.