PROVIDENCE – Providence College announced that Dimeo Construction Co. of Providence will build the first phase of the school’s Ruane Friar Development Center. The RFDC will be a multipurpose facility attached to the school’s Alumni Hall.
Dimeo has already completed several projects for Providence College. “We were fortunate to be able to choose from three extremely competitive bids from three tremendous firms,” said John Sweeney, Providence College senior vice president and chief financial officer. “One of the factors that pushed Dimeo’s bid to the top was that it would allow us to continue working with the same team that has done great work in building both the Ryan Center for Business Studies and the Ruane Center for the Humanities, both hugely successful projects that were delivered on time and on budget.”
The first phase will include a basketball practice facility and space for associated Department of Athletics activities. The phase is expected to cost $30 million and be completed by fall 2018.
“The Ruane Friar Development Center will be one of the top athletic facilities in the nation when it is completed next year,” said Providence College Athletics Director Bob Driscoll.
Phase two of the project will include a new center for career education and professional development and expand the ’64 Hall. Phase two is estimated to cost $7.5 million.
Funding for the project was donated by Michael and Elizabeth Ruane. The donation is the largest donation from a living alumnus the college has ever received.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
