Back GU picks architects, builder for arena, but funds still needed University considering whether or not to accept money from the state By Virginia de Leon Spokesman-Review The same architects and construction company that worked on the Spokane arena have been chosen to design and build Gonzaga University’s $23 million arena. Spokane-based Garco Construction Inc.; ALSC Architects, also of Spokane; and Ellerbe Becket of san Francisco have been selected to design and build the 6000-seat arena, GU officials announced Monday. “It was a very competitive process,” said Tim Barnard, a Gonzaga trustee and chairman of the Arena Advisory Committee. Six design-build teams submitted proposals. Three were chosen to make presentations to the university’s selection committee, but the Garco, ALSC and Ellerbe Becket team stood out, officials said. That team will begin working on a design that GU hopes will lead to a contract by January. Construction won’t start until the university raises at least $18.4 million – 80 percent of the maximum cost. University officials wouldn’t disclose how much they have raised, although they did say the money has come from trustees, alumni and other friends of GU. If funding is available, construction could start as early as next spring, said Dale Goodwin, associate director of public relations. About $1.5 million in taxpayer money has been allocated fro the arena as part of an economic stimulus bill approved by the state Legislature in March. But it’s not clear whether Gonzaga will accept the money. The funds are still in an escrow account, Goodwin said, and the university is figuring out how to use the money in a way that’s “acceptable to the state Legislature and Gonzaga.” “It was not a given that we would accept the $1.5 million,” he said. “When a government agency gives money, there are restrictions. That’s what’s challenging us right now.” Goodwin couldn’t provide details of Gonzaga’s proposal to the state, but he said he hopes to have more information in the next three to four weeks. “We don’t intend to throw $1.5 million in state money into a big pot,” Goodwin said. “We’re taking our time to make sure that we have created a plan that is satisfactory to both Gonzaga and the state.” GU’s president, the Rev. Robert Spitzer, originally asked the Legislature for $3 Million to $5 million for the project on the grounds that a new arena would boost the local economy. He also told lawmakers the building would be part of the Inland Northwest Regional Sports and Recreational Project, which would allow non-GU events to be held in the arena when it’s not being used by the university. The arena is included in the largest fund-raising campaign in the school’s history: $119 million for the school’s endowment and renovation plans. It’s slogan is “Educating People the World Needs Most.” John Stone, principal of John Stone Development in Spokane, is leading the fund raising. Plans are to build the three-level, 108,000-square-foot arena just east of Martin Centre, the current home of GU basketball games. Martin Centre seats only 4,000 – not enough room for all the fans who want to watch the men’s basketball team. Games have been sold out for the past few seasons as the Bulldogs have developed into a national power. Part of the plan is to convert Martin Centre into a multipurpose student fitness center, which would be connected to the arena. Some of the instructions given to the design team include creating a seating arrangement at a steep angle “to keep the seating intimate and to help maintain the ‘Kennel’ aura that was established in Martin Centre,” Goodwin said. Back