Memorial Auditorium Slated For $2.5 Million In Upgrades

Article reprinted courtesy of Fargo InForum and reporter Eric Peterson.

MOORHEAD — Concordia's Memorial Auditorium has a projected $2.5 million renovation on the horizon.

The project includes two new wood courts, including the game court, seating upgrades to selected rows, new lighting and new video scoreboards.

“It will have a very different vibe, but I think we’ve a really good balance of modernizing the space and yet preserving some of the history and tradition of Memorial Auditorium," said Concordia athletic director Rachel Bergeson.

The remodel is slated to start in mid-March after Concordia completes hosting Minnesota high school playoff games. The project is expected to be completed near the end of next August.

“From a recruiting standpoint, upgraded facilities are huge," said Cobbers women's basketball head coach Kim Wagers. "Kids get excited about new, shiny things. We’re going to preserve the tradition of Memorial, which I think kids like.”

Bergeson said the project is privately funded and affect a large numbers of students at Concordia beyond athletics.

“The upgrades in this space are going to touch so many students on our campus from athletics, to music, graduation is in here, and cultural events are in here," Bergeson said.

Bergeson said a drop-down curtain between the game court and the practice court — which be on the side of the retractable bleachers at Memorial — will give the space more versatility.

“We will be able to maximize the space," Bergeson said.

The premier seats will be in the first rows on the side of the permanent bleachers. Those will be cushioned, logo seats. The amount of rows that get cushioned seats will depend on fundraising. It's likely the first five rows will have premier seats, but that could expand if additional funds are raised.

“College athletics is a resource-driven industry and facilities are probably one of the most important resources for any athletic department," said Cobbers men's basketball head coach Tyler Bormann. “While it’s not just an athletics upgrade, it certainly has a big impact on us. It’s great to see our university make investments in athletics in any way.”

Bergeson said the seats on the permanent side were installed in 1952, and have been refurbished but not upgraded since then.

There will be new video scoreboards on each end of the game court and the overhead scoreboard will go away. New basket standards, shot clocks are also among the enhancements. The current practice court is a tartan surface, which was due to be replaced, Bergeson said, so it made sense also have a wood surface for the new practice court.

“From an athletes perspective, we need to keep up with other colleges, but we need to also keep up with high schools that are upgrading athletic facilities because those are the students that we are recruiting to come here," Bergeson said. “It’s an investment for the student experience.”

The Cobbers men's and women's basketball teams have a combined 29-8 record this season. They are a combined 14-2 at Memorial Auditorium.

“I think it helps us in recruiting and it helps us in the game-day atmosphere and it helps us to develop players in our program," Bormann said. “A project like this assists us and helps us to continue to compete in the top half of our league.”

Bergeson said there are going to be sponsorship/naming opportunities for both wood courts, both video scoreboards and also individual premium seats. Bergeson added the plan is to retain the Memorial Auditorium name for the facility.

Bergeson also hinted that additional projects beyond the Memorial Auditorium upgrade are also in the works.

“We’re building momentum and the projects ahead reflect that," Bergeson said. "It’s an exciting time to be a part of this department and we’re just getting started. What excites me most is not what we already accomplished, but what lies ahead.”