Architect selected for Troy basketball arena

By Drew Champlin

Published: July 1, 2009

Just spoke with Bill Wallace of Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood. He’s the Executive Vice President and Secretary there.

That firm, based out of Montgomery, will be the lead archtectural firm in the design for Troy’s new multipurpose arena. They will be partnered with Populous, formerly known as HOK Sport. Wallace, who has been with GMC since 1986, is the Principal on this project.

GMC has done a great deal around the state and region. Wallace listed the Ross Bridge Resort, new Montgomery Hotel & Convention Center, new Colonial Bank headquarters, the Pharmacy Building at Auburn, and a few other projects. Check out GMC’s portfolio for what all they’ve done.

What will really push this project over the edge, Wallace feels, is the involvement of Populous, which has an impressive list of projects (just go there and look at the arenas, facilities, etc).

Unfortunately I don’t have any sketches for you. That’s because they’re still in the very early planning stages. There isn’t even a prime location set for this project, not to mention costs, designs, etc. GMC was just awarded this project about two weeks ago. Wallace said there will be trips to other arenas soon to check out aspects, etc., and see how they would fit in at Troy. Though it’s still in the infant stages, this should be a fast-paced project.

I’ll have more tomorrow, but Wallace has become a big Troy fan through dealings with the University.

“Troy is a great university with great leadership,“ Wallace said. “I’ve come to find that out over the last several months. I’m a real huge Troy fan.“