Grand Valley State’s fieldhouse will get a facelift

An artist rendering of some of the renovations planned for Grand Valley State University’s fieldhouse. (Courtesy of GVSU).

ALLENDALE, Mich. - Grand Valley State University plans to renovate its athletic fieldhouse. 

A press release issued by the school on Friday said construction begins immediately and will be completed by August 1 of this year.

It will be called Raleigh J. Finkelstein Athletic Village. Finkelstein is a Grand Rapids native and philanthropist who owned MC Sports.  He has been a prominent donor to GVSU in the past.

The arena will get all new bleachers, 400 premium stadium seats and three suites, which can host up to 20 people and a lounge area. There also will be a new video board.

The building on the Division II school’s Allendale campus was built in 1982 and has the original wooden bleachers since then.

"We are extremely appreciative of the gift that Raleigh J. Finkelstein made to Grand Valley State that will go directly towards the renovation of the arena at the Raleigh J. Finkelstein Athletic Village," said GVSU Athletic Director Keri Becker said in the press release. "We have a championship culture at Grand Valley State, and this renovation of the arena will enhance the experience for our loyal fans who attend our events and student-athletes who use it daily.”