Clemson University breaks ground on sports facilities expansion project.

Clemson University Athletics has begun work on a comprehensive women's sports expansion project.

University officials and invited speakers recently celebrated the groundbreaking.

Columbia firm Garvin Design Group and national sports architecture firm HNTB have worked together with Clemson Athletics and the lacrosse, gymnastics, and rowing programs since 2020, an HNTB news release stated. Since then, these teams have produced feasibility studies, concept and final designs, and will continue to provide construction administration through completion.

Theproject includes facilities for Clemson's existing women's rowing program and the new women's lacrosse and women's gymnastics programs in their inaugural year, the release stated. When completed, the complex will include a new lacrosse stadium and operations complex, a new gymnastics operations complex and practice facility, renovations and improvements to the existing rowing center, and a new elite athlete recovery center and student-athlete village.

The project's first phase is set to be complete in fall 2023 when the gymnastics program will move into its new home.

"We were thrilled to work with Clemson and such a dynamic group of people on this groundbreaking project for Athletics," said Terry Buchmann, Garvin Design Group principal and project manager, in the release. "And we are excited to continue our design partnership with HNTB and look forward to promoting Women's Sports at Clemson and delivering world-class facilities for each of these programs."

Columbia-based firm Garvin Design Group is serving as the project's Architect of Record with national sports design firm HNTB serving as Sports Architect, the release stated.

"Being a female...