Coastal Carolina University Debuts New Indoor Practice Facility Designed for Athletics and Community Use

Coastal Carolina University has officially completed construction on its cutting-edge Indoor Practice Facility in Conway, South Carolina. The 93,000-square-foot project—designed and built through a collaborative partnership between Garvin Design Group, national architecture firm HNTB, and Contract Construction—is set to transform the way the university supports athletics and hosts campus-wide events.

Strategically located just south of Brooks Stadium, the massive facility features a full-sized synthetic football field, training room, coaching observation tower, athletic therapy space, and video recording platforms. Its design maximizes daylight with clerestory windows, garage-style bay doors, and tall, double-glazed windows, which contribute to a bright and adaptable training environment.

Garvin Design Group served as the Architect of Record and design lead, teaming up closely with HNTB to deliver a vision tailored to Coastal’s needs.

“We’re thrilled to see Coastal’s vision for this facility become a reality,” said Terry Buchmann, Principal at Garvin Design Group. “Working alongside HNTB, Contract Construction, and Coastal’s administration and coaches, we’ve delivered a flexible, high-performance facility that supports CCU’s growing athletics programs and enriches the campus community.”

Contract Construction, which oversaw the build, emphasized the project's long-term significance.

“Completing this project is a huge milestone for Coastal Carolina University,” said Greg Hughes, President of Contract Construction. “We are honored to have helped bring this vision to life and proud to deliver a facility that will serve athletes, coaches, and students for years to come.”

In addition to athletic training and football practices, the new facility is designed to host a wide variety of events, such as club sports, intramural competitions, commencement ceremonies, and community gatherings.

The project’s success is also credited to significant philanthropic support. Notably, contributions came from Conway Medical Center with Novant Health, as well as Joe Moglia, CCU’s Chair of Athletics and Executive Director for Football.

This milestone project not only enhances Coastal Carolina’s sports infrastructure but also strengthens its capacity to engage students and the local community through expanded programming and indoor event hosting.

Additional Context About the Project Team

• Garvin Design Group, celebrating 22 years in business, has delivered more than $1.2 billion in projects throughout South Carolina and has been honored with awards including the AIA SC 2019 Firm Award and Columbia Chamber’s 2020 Small Business of the Year.
• HNTB, with over 100 years of experience, is known nationally for its innovative design and engineering across large-scale infrastructure and athletic facilities.
• Contract Construction, established in 1984, is a trusted regional builder with expertise in complex construction management and design-build delivery.

Originally reported by Megsyms in Archinect.