The University of Pittsburgh is set to unveil a transformative addition to its Oakland campus: the Victory Heights Arena and Sports Performance Center. Scheduled to open in fall 2025, this $290 million facility marks a major milestone in Pitt Athletics’ long-term vision to modernize and elevate its athletic infrastructure.

Located adjacent to the Petersen Events Center on the former site of Pitt Stadium, the 240,000-square-foot complex will serve as a central hub for sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and athletic training. It will also become the new home for volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics, and Pitt’s 75-member spirit squad, offering a dedicated competition venue with seating for approximately 2,500 spectators.
See pictures of the new facility!

Victory Heights is the latest example of Pitt's vision to transform our training and teaching environments to allow student-athletes to achieve at the highest competitive levels.
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A $290M Facility, Replacing a Building from 1951

The facility is designed to replace the aging Fitzgerald Field House, which dates back to 1951 and lacks modern amenities like air conditioning. Athletic Director Heather Lyke emphasized that the outdated field house has hindered recruiting efforts and no longer meets the needs of a Division I program. “We can't fix it, update it, put another graphic on it. It's old,” Lyke said, underscoring the need for a facility that aligns with championship aspirations. This state-of-the-art facility will support 16 athletic programs with elite training, sports medicine, and competition spaces. Completion is expected in 2025, transforming Pitt’s upper campus into a championship-caliber environment.

Opening this Fall, Victory Heights will feature:

  • A sports medicine center
  • A nutrition and recovery area
  • A state-of-the-art weight room with space for sports science
  • Team locker rooms and practice facilities
  • Spectator amenities and food service options

The building will also include a green roof and connect directly to the ninth floor of the new Recreation and Wellness Center, creating a seamless experience for student-athletes and the broader campus community.

Beyond athletics, the project is part of a broader initiative to transform the upper campus hillside into a vibrant, accessible destination. The development includes new pedestrian pathways, sustainable landscaping, and infrastructure improvements like a chilled water plant to support campus-wide energy needs.

As Pitt prepares to open the doors to Victory Heights, the university is not just building a facility—it’s making a statement. This complex is a bold investment in the future of Pitt Athletics, student wellness, and campus life, promising to be a game-changer for generations to come.

HITT Contracting and Gilbane Construction Help Build the Victory Heights Complex - Your Institution has an E&I Contract with Both

HITT Contracting and Gilbane Construction are helping Pitt to build the new facility. 

The HITT Contracting contract provides the resources needed for any general contracting need, including job order contract (JOC) and indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) term contracts. HITT’s Green Project Delivery™ is a proven framework that helps support your sustainability goals while saving millions of dollars on environmental programs. See your E&I contract with HITT Contracting.

The Gilbane Building Company contract offers owner-agent construction and facility management, including preconstruction, construction, and consulting services. E&I members can find solutions for construction management, general contracting, integrated project delivery, and design-build projects that are delivered on-time and on-budget. Plus, Gilbane’s Sustainability Council encourages the latest sustainable advancements and industry technology. See your E&I contract with Gilbane Building Company.

See pictures of the new facility!

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