Kalamazoo Times

Western Michigan University has begun construction on the Kalamazoo Event Center and Athletic Performance Center, a $515 million project located in downtown Kalamazoo. The new 453,000 square-foot facility is privately funded and is expected to open in fall 2027.

The groundbreaking event featured participation from students, including members of the Lawson Lunatics, a student organization known for supporting Bronco hockey. Jackson Hammerschmidt, president of the Lawson Lunatics, described the student involvement in the project: “They wanted our input from the very beginning—the architects, too. They met with us, and we were the center of attention. It felt truly special to see that our University cares." He added, “We are celebrating the start of one of the most exciting chapters in the history of Western Michigan University, the city of Kalamazoo and all of Southwest Michigan.”

Dan Bartholomae, vice president and director of athletics for Western Michigan University, highlighted the significance of the development. “It is a transformational investment that is going to continue to change the direction of an evolving Kalamazoo to make it a vibrant destination and a spot that we will all be proud of together,” he said.

Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson also commented on the project’s impact, stating, “It’s a transformational investment that is going to continue to change the direction of an evolving Kalamazoo to make it a vibrant destination and a spot that we will all be proud of together.”

Philanthropist William Johnston, a WMU trustee emeritus and chairman of Greenleaf Companies, called the facility a “once-in-100-year opportunity.” Johnston, along with his wife Ronda Stryker, is funding the project.

Pat Ferschweiler, WMU hockey head coach, described how architects engaged with students to understand their experience. “My phone blew up after that win, and the architects said, ‘We get it, coach. That’s the best experience we’ve ever had at a sporting event,’” Ferschweiler said. “They actually flipped the building around to accommodate and make the student experience better. Everyone was included in this process: the students, the athletes, everyone.”

Bartholomae emphasized the facility’s focus on both athletics and community engagement. “This is not just a competition facility; it is truly a community facility. Yes, it's built for Western Michigan, its athletes and its staff, and we are proud to call it home. But this is an opportunity for us to embrace community connection, break down silos and seek new partnership strategies at a time when both higher education and division I athletics is changing—and it's a statement that we're going to change with it,” he said.

Johnston explained the broader vision: “An athletic performance center takes a holistic view of athletes. So we’re not just talking about a place to practice; we’re talking about a place to practice and prepare for life. We’re talking about an opportunity to bring academics to the athletic field, to the athletic court, to the ice.”

Bartholomae added, “It's a facility that has carefully considered the student-athlete experience, providing best-in-class training and recovery amenities that support peak mental and physical performance, while also providing new programming space for the best student-athlete development program in the country in Broncos Empowered.”

The facility will serve as home to WMU hockey, men’s and women’s basketball teams, and the Kalamazoo Wings. It will also host concerts, community events, and conferences.

Student input has influenced the design, including features such as a dedicated student entrance and lounge, as well as a convertible seating system for the Lawson Lunatics section at center ice. Luke Kritzman, Western Student Association student body president, commented on this approach: “Having our own areas for students designed by students is amazing to see, because nobody knows what the students want more than the students. It allows for the student experience to be so much greater.”

Aidan Moran, an engineering student and Lawson Lunatic, expressed anticipation for the facility: “It’s going to be something special. If you have a national championship hockey team, you need a national championship arena!”

As construction begins, the university community looks forward to the opening in 2027. “We’ve seen the rendering video in presentations, but something about seeing it today with the music and with all these people really hit me,” Kritzman said. Johnston concluded, “It’s a great day to be a Bronco!”