FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama took another step forward in its quest to build an on-campus stadium Friday.
The University announced the selection of Birmingham-based program management firm HPM as the program manager for Bank Independent Stadium. The firm will also provide owner’s representation and preconstruction services for the state-of-the-art, multipurpose facility on UNA’s campus in Florence
Davis Architects has been selected as the architect of record. The project is in the design phase with completion targeted for the 2026-27 academic year.
“We are excited about this next step in the process of seeing Bank Independent Stadium come to life at the University of North Alabama,” said Evan Thornton, UNA CFO and vice president for Business and Financial Affairs. “HPM and Davis Architects will be tremendous assets to us as we embark on this historic project.”
The multipurpose stadium will be designed for year-round utilization by UNA and the Shoals community. The venue will redevelop the campus space that is home to the UNA turf field, Mike D. Lane Field and a grass practice field, incorporating UNA’s football, baseball, and soccer teams into the reimagined design.
In addition to athletic practices and sporting events, Bank Independent Stadium will also enrich the community with concerts and live performances as well as other academic and community events. The new facility will serve as the home for the UNA football team, which has played at Braly Municipal Stadium for more than 70 years. Braly is owned by Florence City Schools.
“The forthcoming Bank Independent Stadium is an exciting addition to our extensive portfolio of sports and recreation projects across the country, and we have seen immense demand for these types of facilities in Alabama as our state’s population continues to grow,” said HPM Vice President of Program Development Ben Henson. “We’re looking forward to working alongside the University of North Alabama to deliver this highly anticipated multipurpose facility, which will serve as a transformative community venue and a catalyst for Florence’s burgeoning growth story.”
HPM will work closely with UNA to provide specialized services throughout the life of the project. Starting with preconstruction, HPM will oversee budgeting, scheduling, design management, risk assessment, and contract negotiation. After the conclusion of the design phase, expected in 2024, a detailed plan for the stadium with more information about the scope, features, and cost will be formulated.
For more information on Bank Independent Stadium, click here.
HPM’s other include Bryant Denny Stadium, Sewell Thomas Stadium, Rhoads Softball Stadium, Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility, Coleman Coliseum, and Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility at the University of Alabama; Daniel Meyer Coliseum and Lupton Baseball Field at Texas Christian University; the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Protective Life Stadium; and Texas Tech University’s Jones AT&T East Side Stadium.
The firm also provided program management expertise for the construction of Regions Field and the renovation of Legacy Arena, both in Birmingham.
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