Work begins on Marching Virginians' new facility
![Artist rendering of new Marching Virginians building](/content/dam/news_vt_edu/articles/2014/12/images/120314-vpa-marchingvirginiansbuilding.jpg)
Construction of the Marching Virginians' new $4.75 million practice and storage facility is underway and scheduled to be completed in 2015.
Crews recently began work with bulldozers and other equipment, preparing the site located behind the southeast corner of the Chicken Hill Parking Lot, near Lane Stadium.
The first phase of the project is a new lighted artificial turf practice field, which is scheduled to be completed in spring 2015. A new storage building and an open air pavilion are scheduled to be finished by the start of the fall semester.
Along with space for storage and for the band's drumline to practice, the approximately 4,300-square-foot building will have restrooms and small personal lockers for band members. The 7,500-square-foot pavilion will allow the band to practice during inclement weather.
Currently, the band practices on the infield of the Johnson-Miller Track Complex.
Funding for the project is a partnership, with a significant portion coming from the Department of Athletics. Recreational Sports is contributing as well, and construction is also being funded by donations raised by the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.
The Marching Virginians are administered through that college's School of Performing Arts.
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