Ohio State eyes 2028 overhaul of Woody Hayes Athletic Center
Ohio State’s athletic director Ross Bjork announced this week that the university is poised to launch a $125 million renovation of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, a project slated to break ground in 2028 and wrap up within a year and a half.
The overhaul will add modern locker rooms, expanded training facilities, larger team meeting rooms, new office suites and upgraded weight‑training areas, while deliberately leaving the practice fields untouched. Temporary spaces will be arranged to keep teams operational throughout the construction period, though Bjork warned that the work will introduce logistical hurdles for at least one season.
Bjork emphasized that the expansion is essential to accommodate a growing staff and player roster, and he noted that donor enthusiasm has surged after recent NIL‑related legal settlements clarified the university’s messaging and funding strategy.
With the fundraising goal within reach, the athletic department is now focused on publicizing the plan and addressing the operational complexities that come with such a large‑scale transformation.