Bradley Athletics ushered in a new era during the 2010-11 school year with the opening of the Renaissance Coliseum on the former site of Robertson Memorial Field House. The $50-million, 4,200-seat facility houses the entire Bradley Department of Athletics and serves as the home court for both the volleyball and women's basketball teams.
Construction on the facility, which is now the largest building on campus (165,200 square feet), began following the 2007-08 basketball season with the demolition of historic Robertson Memorial Field House. The new structure sits on the exact site of the famed home for Bradley Athletics and takes up nearly 3.6 acres.
The largest piece of a 15-year master plan for campus, the building was completed in July 2010 and was dedicated on Oct. 15, 2010 as part of the University's annual homecoming weekend. Designed to pay homage to Robertson Memorial Field House's arched design, the facility includes the Basketball Performance Center practice facility, an athletics museum within Burklund Family Heritage Hall, state-of-the-art strength and conditioning and athletic medicine facilities, two student-athlete academic centers, 12 locker rooms for all of Bradley's student-athletes and offices for the entire Department of Athletics.
In total the building features 16 basketball hoops, six basketball courts and six volleyball courts.Â
While fans focus on the play on the court, 11 digital graphic displays (including two video boards) enhance the in-game experience for those in attendance.
The first Bradley Athletics event in the facility was the volleyball team's 3-game victory versus Western Illinois Aug. 27, 2010 in the Hotels at Grand Prairie Invitational and the Braves women's basketball team earned a 77-63 win against Butler Nov. 13, 2010 in its first regular-season game back on campus since the closing of Robertson Field House.
In addition to hosting Bradley Athletics events, the facility hosts a number of University functions, including the annual December commencement ceremony, and outside events. Grammy-award winning band Weezer performed the first concert at Renaissance Coliseum Sept. 25, 2010 and Tonight Show host Jay Leno entertained the 2010 Homecoming crowd with a stand-up comedy performance.
Directions (1600 W. Main Street, Peoria, IL)
From Chicago
Travel south on Interstate 55 to I-74 outside Bloomington/Normal. Take I-74 West toward Peoria. At the I-74/I-474 split, stay to the right and continue west on I-74. After entering the Peoria metro area, take the University Street exit (91) and stay in the left lane. Turn left on to University Street and continue south for approximately four blocks through two traffic lights. At third traffic light at the intersection of University and Main Streets turn right on to Main Street and continue west to Maplewood Avenue. Turn left at the first traffic light onto Maplewood Avenue and park in the deck located on the southwest corner of Main and Maplewood.
From the East (Bloomington/Normal, Indianapolis)
Travel west on Interstate 74 toward Peoria. At the I-74/I-474 split, stay to the right and continue west on I-74. After entering the Peoria metro area, take the University Street exit (91) and stay in the left lane. Turn left on to University Street and continue south for approximately four blocks through two traffic lights. At third traffic light at the intersection of University and Main Streets turn right on to Main Street and continue west to Maplewood Avenue. Turn left at the first traffic light onto Maplewood Avenue and park in the deck located on the southwest corner of Main and Maplewood.
From St. Louis
Travel north on Interstate 55 to I-155 north of Lincoln. Take the left exit onto I-155 North toward Peoria. In Morton, Ill., take the left exit onto I-74 West and continue on I-74 West into Peoria. After entering the Peoria metro area, take the University Street exit (91) and stay in the left lane. Turn left on to University Street and continue south for approximately four blocks through two traffic lights. At third traffic light at the intersection of University and Main Streets turn right on to Main Street and continue west to Maplewood Avenue. Turn left at the first traffic light onto Maplewood Avenue and park in the deck located on the southwest corner of Main and Maplewood.
From the West (Galesburg, Quad Cities)
Take Interstate 74 East. Just outside of Peoria, at the I-74/I-474 split, continue on I-74 East. After entering the Peoria metro area, take the University Street exit (91) and turn right at the top of the ramp, heading south on University Street for approximately four blocks. At the second traffic light at the intersection of University and Main Streets, turn right on to Main Street and continue west to Maplewood Avenue. Turn left at the first traffic light onto Maplewood Avenue and park in the deck located on the southwest corner of Main and Maplewood.
