Pitt gets approval to build $240M arena, sports performance center in Oakland

The University of Pittsburgh’s $240 million plan to build an arena and sports performance center on the Oakland campus earned approval Tuesday from the city’s Planning Commission.

Victory Heights will be located near Petersen Events Center on Terrace Street — on the site of the former Pitt Stadium, which was torn down in 1999.

Plans call for a 3,000-seat arena to serve as the home venue for the school’s volleyball, wrestling and women’s gymnastics teams. The athletic performance center will serve many of the university’s athletic programs and include space for wellness and sports medicine facilities.

The development will be topped off with an open community space on the roof. The rooftop area will include large shade trees, seating and an open lawn with a view of the lower portion of Pitt’s campus.

Planning Commissioner Dina Blackwell said she appreciated the tree canopy, calling it an example of the proposal “taking that extra mile to make it not just beautiful, but have purpose.”

The new development also will include parking spots for 48 bicycles, said Chuck Alcorn, a planner with the university.

The facility earned approval from Pitt’s Property and Facilities Committee in November.

The same month, the city’s Planning Commission approved Pitt’s plans for a $255 million nine-story campus recreation center that will house gymnasiums, squash courts, a swimming pool, spa, game room, locker rooms, racquetball courts and areas dedicated to fitness, food service and wellness.