Fontbonne West - Campus Planning Study 

Since the founding of Fontbonne University (FBU), the Athletics department, student athletes and staff have dealt with the inconveniences that come with having to share outdoor athletic facilities they neither own nor control.  When the University heard news that a small West St. Louis County High School was planning to close, they aggressively undertook a planning study to determine if the property could accommodate the needs of their growing Division III Athletic program for both outdoor and indoor facilities.  To make a proper assessment, FBU undertook a two phased approach. 

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The first phase included a physical and economic analysis of the existing building and site to determine the viability of purchasing the property.  A detailed program of indoor and outdoor space needs was also developed.  Multiple site concepts were then explored and presented to FBU to determine if and how the large-scale outdoor athletic field components would fit on the compact, steeply sloping property along with a cost estimate for the planned improvements.  Required NCAA compliant outdoor athletic facilities included a soccer pitch with spectator seating and press box, an 8-lane 400 M track, softball field, baseball field and complimentary track and field amenities and support structures.  The outdoor facility planning was followed with a conceptual planning study of the high school building for athletic and academic use.     

Once it was determined that the property could adequately accommodate the University’s needs, the second piece of the due diligence process required before FBU could commit to purchasing the property was approval of the proposed site improvements by the City.  Information on the site development plan required by the City included all planned amenities, parking requirements, grading, lighting calculations, storm water calculation, code review, change in use classification, facility scheduling and feedback from a public engagement session.  Along with positive input from residents living adjacent to the property, the City approved Fontbonne University’s plan for their new West Campus.

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