Augusta University has recently completed several upgrades and renovations across its campuses, with a particular focus on the Christenberry Fieldhouse on the Forest Hills Campus. The athletics complex, which is nearly 35 years old, has undergone significant improvements to better serve Jaguar Athletics and the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Education and Human Development.
AU Director of Athletics Ryan Erlacher described the changes: “You come up the hill, and it’s just exciting – the momentum is there. We feel like we have one of the best facilities in the Southeast when it comes to arenas, and certainly all the work that’s been done here over the past few years for this project is going to make a huge impact on our operation.”
The renovations include a completely redone exterior with durable metal paneling in Augusta University colors, a new digital signage board at the main entrance, a multipurpose room overlooking the court, and a reimagined space now serving as the Alvin and Ivette Harris Sports Performance Center. Erlacher noted, “The reaction we’re seeing from students, fans and supporters is truly exceptional.”
Craig VanDevere, director of planning, design and construction for AU’s Department of Facilities Services, highlighted how these projects enhance both student life and community engagement. “When you drive up the hill and you see what’s going on, it’s just a very exciting space for both the students that are going there for athletics and the kinesiology classes, and the folks that are coming to check out any of the many sports activities that are happening up there in and around Christenberry Fieldhouse,” he said.
VanDevere explained that his department oversees both new facility designs and renovations by working closely with stakeholders as well as design consultants. “Our department handles the design of new facilities and renovations,” said VanDevere. “We work with the stakeholders in making sure we get all their information and then we work with our design consultants, architects and engineers to develop the project.”
Beyond Christenberry Fieldhouse, AU has also updated Annex I on its Health Sciences Campus. The building was once a Sears store but now features an exterior marked by various shades of blue reflecting university branding. VanDevere stated: “Annex 1 is a very interesting building in that it was a former Sears originally. We have a number of staff that are working in the building, and it was needed to make the building stand out and make it more recognizable, so that as people drive around this side, they can recognize this and see that it is a part of AU.” He added: “It was kind of an exciting project. We got to work with President Keen, various stakeholders in the administration and the Communications and Marketing team. The decision was to do a palette of blue, and you’ll see a gradation of blues as you go around the building that all ties back into AU blue.”
As an architect at AU who works across many types of buildings—labs, classrooms, office spaces—VanDevere values both historic renovation projects as well as new construction efforts at Augusta University. He said: “Working at a university, working at Augusta University allows me an opportunity to work with many different types of buildings, not just concentrating on a particular one,” he said. “So we’ll work with labs, with classrooms, with office spaces, with historic renovations and then new construction.”
Landscaping is also part of these ongoing campus projects; each campus’ landscaping reflects its unique character while providing continuity throughout Augusta University properties. VanDevere commented: “I think landscaping is one of those tie-in elements because each of the campuses is unique in its own way,” adding that Summerville Campus retains much historical significance alongside newer structures elsewhere.
Looking ahead at further developments on campus—including parking solutions—VanDevere pointed out recent milestones such as opening a new parking deck earlier this year: “We’ve got a brand-new parking deck that just opened earlier this year in spring. So that’s a very exciting feature for campus,” he said.
He also mentioned future plans including updates tied to research infrastructure: “The new translational research building also will be a game changer I believe for university,” VanDevere continued.“This year will be start master plan update start planning future university so I’m really excited about opportunity work on that.I’m excited about all our projects because it making difference university students faculty staff.”
