[ball_of_rubber]

Did RIFC pay for that?

 

[Wildcat18]

Did RIFC pay for that?

Definitely not. I think this was in the works for a while.

 

[RF1]

RIFC is having issues just keeping up with the escalating costs of its own Tidewater Landing Stadium in Pawtucket and paying for that. Construction has been halted at times. Seating is presently going in with the hope it will be open for the start of the next season ( which is one year beyond original projected date).

 

[MK18]

Does anyone know what the plan is for the basketball arena upgrades? Is the Convocation Center still happening or have the plans changed?

 

[Bryant Bulldogs]

Not 100% sure. They haven’t talked about it for a while. They did still have it listed on a map of future upgrades the campus is going through. I’m guessing it’s going to take a while to happen, if it does.

 

[Dane96]

Not 100% sure. They haven’t talked about it for a while. They did still have it listed on a map of future upgrades the campus is going through. I’m guessing it’s going to take a while to happen, if it does.

Wait, i thought they broke ground on that project?

 

[MK18]

I would be disapointed if they aren't moving forward with the new arena. It would be a major upgrade and addition to the campus. I was excited about it and it could have many other uses aside from basketball. I believe the graduation ceremony is held on the main parking lot near the football field. Not the most picturesque of settings. Would be nice if they could at leat move it to the new fields.

 

[dgthree]

I haven’t seen or heard anything on the new basketball arena either. They moved it from a stand alone facility behind the football stadium to a complete redo of the current facility - which hosts the main basketball “arena” plus a second similar one for students, the pool for the swim teams, offices, athletic training rooms, and general population gym.

 

[MK18]

Thanks for everyone's responses! Appreciate it.

 

[dgthree]

New video on the upgraded football and soccer facilities. Glad to see Bryant is investing in a standalone soccer complex that is natural grass.

Slightly disappointed the new complex will only add 1,000 seats on the football end.

 

[Wildcat18]

New video on the upgraded football and soccer facilities. Glad to see Bryant is investing in a standalone soccer complex that is natural grass.

Slightly disappointed the new complex will only add 1,000 seats on the football end.

That’s awesome, love to see the effort to better facilities all across the board at Bryant. Hopefully they will figure out some new basketball arena soon.

 

[Wildcat18]

Bryant's field house is coming along nicely.

I do wonder in future years if they really sell out games, if they will expand the current home side. There isn't anything structural in the way from adding another section to each end to the light poles.

 

[benbartolomei]

What was the logic with removing the endzone bleachers? I know they were added for the RIFC soccer games but why remove them? The capacity of the stadium is very small even after the field house seating being added.

 

[mainejeff]

I think it is more about quality than quantity now at the FCS level. if the student-athlete amenities are up to snuff then that is really what matters. I would also include donor amenities in that....lounges, premium seating, etc. I'd say as long as they built it big enough to fit 3-4K....that will suffice. I think that the facility looks great. Bryant just won the Commissioners Cup in AE.....they are a valued member of the league! Hopefully AE Football becomes another sport that counts toward the Cup someday.

 

[RF1]

 

[Wildcat18]

Bored with so little news going on, Did see JMU (while it may take a while) is at least planning for the other half of their stadium.. Holy moly

 

[Wildcat18]

On a significantly smaller note.

SHU looks to be replacing turf and replacing their away side. With the golf course they cant really go larger but I guess they could make it a bit longer and a bit steeper to fit a few extra seats 🤷‍♂️

 

[mainejeff]

I visited Bryant's site and took a look at all of their facilities......this is becoming a very impressive athletic campus. If Bryant had come along with these facilities 20 years ago.....they would be in the CAA.

 

[Wildcat18]

SHU confirmed in an article to be
1. Replacing turf
2. Replacing away side with better seating
3. Working on press box.

not sure if they are replacing and building a larger one or if improving it means mostly better wiring and TV set up improvements.

 

[RF1]

Having a dedicated Bryant thread definitely keeps things organized, especially with all the changes like Rhode Island FC using their fields and the new Endzone seating plans.

RIFC is no longer using Bryant. The club opened its own venue, Centerville Stadium at Tidewater Landing on the river in Pawtucket back in May. They have been averaging over 8k per match and had over 10,700 the other night.

Several AE member football programs may play at this stadium in 2026. It is rumored that URI may play all its home football games here during that season while it's on campus Meade Stadium is undergoing a rebuild.