Bryant University officials on Thursday announced plans to break ground on a new Convocation Center and Arena for athletics, as well as a new dining hall and other facilities planned for its Smithfield campus in 2023.

“Vision 2030 is designed to catapult Bryant University to the next level," said David M. Beirne, chairman of the university's board of trustees. "The investment in academic facilities will include a newly established Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, a state-of-the-art dining facility, major investments in residential life and our world class Arena/Convocation Center." 

The Bryant Convocation Center and Arena is being designed by Sasaki Associates as a state-of-the-art facility for the men’s basketball team, a performing arts venue and a center for campus-wide activities, including commencement and convocation. The center will be adjacent to Bryant’s strength and conditioning center on its 428-acre Smithfield campus. Funding for the project will include "significant philanthropy," the school said.

“Vision 2030 investments will position Bryant University as a leader in high-impact and high-return, 21st-century education, student experience, and professional and personal development for success," said university president Ross Gittell. "This is exemplified by the university’s top 1% return on investment and participation in the 2022 Division I NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Bryant is one of the very few universities in the country to achieve national recognition in both brackets.”

Incoming provost Rupendra Paliwal stated: “Vision 2030 positions Bryant to extend its exceptional return on education investment to new academic programs, disciplines and a growing pool of highly talented and well-qualified students.”

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The new convocation center will be home to the basketball and volleyball programs as well as a facility for commencement ceremonies that can accommodate the entire student body of 3,500 graduate and undergraduate students. 

The new center will also offer a venue for student events, including a theater, soundproof concert hall and performing arts venue, according to school officials. It will be designed to accommodate assemblies of up to 4,400 participants with a combination of 3,400 fixed seats and up to 1,000 seats that can be added on the event floor when configured with a large stage.