Chris Bahn: Developing Plan Only First Step in Lengthy Facilities Improvement Process

FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas has a growing wish list for improving its athletic facilities.

Jeff Long, the UA's vice chancellor and director of athletics, envisions a basketball practice facility to complement Bud Walton Arena. He'd like to provide football with expanded office, lounge and locker room space.

Should baseball continue to draw some of the nation's largest crowds, Baum Stadium might need extra seats. Student-athletes could use a more spacious academic facility.

But at the top of the wish list? UA Board of Trustees approval and funding.

Until Arkansas secures those two items, the wish list will remain just that. Arkansas is a long way off from improving its facilities, but planning is underway, Long said Thursday during a conference call with reporters.

It's even too early for a timeline to be developed. Architects have until Nov. 13 to submit their idea for a master plan.

Then the Razorbacks must wait for approval. Once that's secured, the task of fund-raising begins.

"This does not indicate building is imminent or there is a time plan for any of these things," Long said. "This is merely an opportunity to plan for the future, while we believe we have needs that we want to fulfill and improve upon in our athletic facilities, planning is just the first step."

Board of Trustees approval could come in January once the athletic department and UA Facilities Management Planning Group decide on an architectural firm. Long said he thinks this is the first time for the athletic department and university at large to work together on expanding/improving facilities.