TTUsports.com

While the arena will be closed to the public during most of the construction, the Athletics Ticket Office located in the front lobby of the facility will remain open for fans to purchase football season tickets.

The office complex is being built inside the arena, at the upper level of the east end of the seating area. Men's and women's basketball will share the facility, which will feature coaches offices and meeting rooms, and will overlook the playing floor.

"We're extremely excited about getting construction underway on this project, and we are so grateful to the people who have supported us in raising the funds to make it a reality," said Mark Wilson, TTU Director of Athletics. "The complex will be a tremendous asset to our women's and men's basketball programs, and we believe it will be well worth the obstacles that we'll cope with during the construction phase."

The project is the successful culmination of a fund raising effort to enhance the basketball facilities, and the project is being funded 100 percent by the athletics department through private contributions and athletics revenues.

"This new facility will provide our basketball coaches efficient Division I space and help in the operation of their programs and in recruiting," Wilson said.