$2,000,000 pledge for Chiles Center expansion & renovation

University of Portland announces $2 million pledge from Earle M. Chiles for renovation and expansion of Chiles Center

University of Portland has announced a pledge of $2 million from Earle M. Chiles, president of the Chiles Foundation and a member of the University’s board of regents. The gift will help ensure the University’s iconic Chiles Center remains one of the premier and most modern athletic and convocation facilities on the West Coast.

“The Chiles family’s legacy of generosity and civic responsibility has made life richer at Oregon’s Catholic University,” said University president Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C. “From Virginia H. and Earle A. Chiles, for whom Chiles Center is named, to their visionary son Earle M. Chiles, the family’s long-held commitment to the University of Portland and to the Congregation of Holy Cross has been pivotal in the University’s rise in national renown.”

In the spring of 2012, work will begin to modernize and expand the men’s locker rooms for basketball, soccer, baseball, and cross country; expand space for the strength and conditioning center; create a state-of-the-art student-athlete study area; and add additional administrative office space. A total of 10,365 square feet of new and remodeled space is expected to be completed by start of the 2012-13 fall sports season.

This project is the latest in a series of recent improvements to the Chiles Center. In 2006, the University expanded and rebuilt the women’s student-athlete locker room facilities during a $1 million renovation. Upgraded weight room training equipment was added in 2008, and a four-sided, center-hung video board was installed in 2010.

“This investment will benefit all of our student-athletes and maintain the Chiles Center as one of the finest collegiate athletic facilities on the West Coast,” Director of Athletics Larry Williams said. “It has been our mantra that we will continue to support programs of excellence and provide the necessary resources to compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics. The Chiles Center is already a phenomenal venue for fans attending events, but these enhancements will directly impact the student-athletes who are at the core of our mission. It will put our programs in better position for success in recruiting student-athletes and then providing them with the best resources for success.”

The Chiles Center is home to the University of Portland athletic department and is the home court for varsity basketball and volleyball games. It also houses all locker rooms for Pilot athletes, the sports medicine department, weight training room, and a Hall of Fame room. A recreational running track circles the upper mezzanine. The Pilots men’s basketball team has a combined 38-6 record at the Chiles Center over the past three seasons.

Dedicated in 1984, the Chiles Center ushered in a new era and immediately became not only the cultural and athletic center of campus life, but a vibrant resource for cultural, spiritual, and civic events in the Pacific Northwest. The friendly confines of the Chiles Center have been graced by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, Presidents Ronald Regan and George W. Bush, Jane Goodall and Bob Dylan, Jonathon Kozol and Michael Pollan, by tens of thousands of sporting events and graduations, concerts, and lectures.

The pledge is part of the University’s RISE Campaign, which was announced in December 2010 and seeks to raise $175 million over the next several years, which would result in one of the largest development campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university.

The campaign’s goals are divided into four major themes, each with funding targets: (1) Pursuing academic excellence and faculty funding – $70 million; (2) Providing access for all students and direct assistance – $45 million; (3) Developing faith and leadership – $10 million; and (4) Enriching the campus community and physical resources – $50 million.

The campaign’s goals are divided into four major themes, each with funding targets: (1) Pursuing academic excellence and faculty funding – $70 million; (2) Providing access for all students and direct assistance – $45 million; (3) Developing faith and leadership – $10 million; and (4) Enriching the campus community and physical resources – $50 million.

Looking forward to meeting this AM to review plans for $2M buildout of Chiles Center. "Wow" locker room, weight room, and training room.

RipCityPilot wrote:\wouldn't mind a new design on the floor, but its extra, I know.

PilotNut wrote:I am sure that they would welcome a donation for a new box office...

PilotNut wrote:My understanding is that this phase of the renovations will be the locker rooms offices, etc... items that are HUGE for coaching and recruiting, but not really visible from a fan perspective. My understanding is that they will "bump out" like they did for the WSOC facilities previously. I have heard that demolition is under way; I hope we see details, photos, etc. soon!