University President Dave Frohnmayer announced on Saturday that Howe Field, which currently accommodates Oregon softball, will be the new home of Oregon basketball.
The announcement — the second step in the process of erecting a new arena — came at McArthur Court and included Athletics Director Bill Moos, men’s basketball head coach Ernie Kent, women’s basketball head coach Bev Smith and Dan Williams, University vice president for administration.
“We consider this to be a green-letter day and a landmark for the University of Oregon,” Frohnmayer said.
The site is located at the corner of University Street and East 18th Avenue — directly next door to McArthur Court. Oregon officials hope to begin construction no later than July 2004, and the new arena is expected to be operable in time for fall term 2006.
In addition to the new arena, a parking complex and a training center are expected to be constructed. According to Williams, the University does not have any concrete plans as to where each will be located. However, officials announced that nearby Hayward Field will be untouched, and that parking issues — a chief concern of the surrounding community — will be addressed.
Dallas-based HKS Sports & Entertainment and Portland-based Thompson Vaivoda Architects will work together on the project.
HKS built the Ballpark at Arlington — home to the Texas Rangers — and Miller Park in Milwaukee — home to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Thompson Vaivoda Architects erected the Fox Tower in Portland; a 27-story structure that houses underground parking, 23 levels of office space and a 10-screen movie theater.
Williams said a precise cost has not yet been set for the University’s arena, but he did say it should cost between $90 and $130 million to finish the project. A small group of donors — led by Phil and Penny Knight and Pat Kilkenny — have provided the funding.
“What people need to remember is that this is a process,” Williams said. “You don’t start this with all the answers.”
Frohnmayer outlined four advantages to using Howe Field as the site, including the field’s proximity to campus; the ability to integrate the new arena with McArthur Court; the fact it is owned by the University and the possibility to resolve parking complications in the area.
“Actually, for the first time it will help us address some of the parking issues that affect the larger publics of the University for all kinds of purposes,” Frohnmayer said.
While not saying how the University will address those concerns, Williams said he hopes the facility will combine with a parking structure of some kind, and a parking garage is a prime possibility.
In 1998, the University did a survey regarding the possibility of putting a garage on campus. It found six possible sites, including one located at East 18th Avenue and Onyx Street next to Howe Field. According to those findings, the site could accommodate a two-level garage and add approximately 670 parking spaces.

Howe Field has been home to Oregon softball since 1987. It was built in 1936 as a baseball facility but was converted to a softball field more than 50 years later.
The softball facility will have to be moved from its current location, although a new site has yet to be announced. Moos said he hopes to start working on finding that site immediately, adding that the softball team will have to find a place to play during the arena’s construction.
“The relocation of the softball facility has been addressed already,” Moos said. “We would like to start on that project as soon as possible after the upcoming softball season so it will be ready for the following spring. We will probably utilize another facility at a high school or somewhere for the non-traditional season in fall.”
In April 2003, the University selected seven sites as potential homes for the new arena. Those included Williams’ Bakery, land near the proposed new federal courthouse and two sites in Glenwood near the Willamette River, among others.
Built in 1926, McArthur Court hosted its first game on Jan. 14, 1927. The court is still expected to host Oregon volleyball and wrestling once the new arena is finished, and plans also call for student use.
“I only hope we embrace Mac Court,” Kent said. “There is a part of me that is saddened because of what this (place) means to the community and the University. We have been able to use this building in a very positive way.
“We have an opportunity now to build a new arena, and I can tell you that already just the thought of the opportunity to go on the road and talk about this to incoming recruits — to sell them on the possibilities of what’s coming down the road — has already greatly enhanced not only our basketball program but our recruiting as well.”

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