Thanks to generous donors, University of Connecticut's plans to open a new basketball center may not be as far-fetched as one might think.
UConn foundation has managed to put together 75 percent of the total funds needed to build the new center and is planning to go ahead with the ground breaking ceremony.
The project is estimated to cost $32 million for the university and about $23 million is already available due to the contributions from donors and alumni.
UConn foundation is the body of the university which solicits, receives, and administers gifts and financial resources from private sources for the benefit of all campuses and programs of the University of Connecticut.
The UConn Basketball Development Center will be housed adjacent to Gampel Pavilion.
According to the statement issued by the university, it has decided to obtain financing for the project so construction can begin as soon as possible. Completion is expected to take about 24 months.
"UConn is fortunate to have many strong supporters across the nation, who have dedicated themselves to the academic advancement of the university, the research ambitions of our faculty and students, as well as athletics," said UConn President Susan Herbst.
He also said that as the university is growing, both the men's and women's basketball programs need better facility to achieve the intended goals.
As if to materialize this vision of the president, alumnus Mark Shenkman and his wife, Rosalind committed $2 million to the facility recently.
Shenkman is the chair of the UConn Foundation Board of Directors and previously made a $2.5 million gift to name the athletic training and student recreational facility by his name.
"Rosalind and I feel very blessed to be able to make this gift to the University of Connecticut. This gift represents an investment in the future of UConn basketball," said Shenkman.
The UConn Basketball Development Center is one of the projects supported through the ambitious 'Our University. Our Moment.' fundraising campaign whose goal is to amass $600 million, out of which $348.8 million has already been achieved.
It was launched in September 2009 by the UConn Foundation.
