Superintendent

UConn begins $99M Gampel Pavilion renovation project, unveils new renderings. March 24, 2026 The University of Connecticut has begun a major renovation of Gampel Pavilion, with the first phase of the project expected to be completed by November 2026. UConn's athletic department said the multi-phase project will cost $99.4 million and is being funded through non-tax revenue generated by state-issued UConn 2000 bonds authorized by the General Assembly. Phase 1 includes a full roof replacement and the construction of a new basketball gameday suite. The suite will feature a recruiting lounge, sports medicine space, locker rooms for teams and coaches, a coaches' lounge and conference room, an upgraded officials' locker room, and a postgame press and meeting area. Gampel Pavilion renovation renderings The university also plans to replace existing concession stands with grab-and-go options at the four corners of the arena bowl to reduce congestion and improve crowd flow. Future work is planned as part of a second phase, expected to begin in March 2027. That phase is expected to include new premium seating areas, donor-focused spaces intended to generate additional revenue, and expanded nutrition facilities for student-athletes. UConn has hired DPR Construction as construction manager, S/L/A/M Collaborative as lead designer, Legends Global as owner's representative, and Jack Porter to design graphics for the basketball suite. Gampel Pavilion, located on UConn's Storrs campus, is the primary home for the university's men's and women's basketball programs.

Building possibility, proving impact: how DPR and Girls Inc. shape futures that are Strong, Smart & Bold. DPR Construction's partnership with Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey illustrates what happens when a global builder commits not only to constructing innovative facilities, but also to building pathways that are grounded in evidence, strengthened through mentorship, and centered on expanding what girls believe is possible. Their collaboration demonstrates that when skills-based volunteering, career immersion, and pro-girl environments intersect, girls have the tools to build their own futures. DPR Construction doesn't just build facilities - they build futures. DPR's national commitment to trust-based philanthropy is reflected through its Foundation, which distributes more than $2 million annually to youth-serving organizations. Locally, DPR was recently recognized as a 2026 Partner in Philanthropy for its deep engagement with Girls Inc. Of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey and measurable community impact. DPR's Global Social Responsibility program has a strong focus on career and education guidance for youth, providing paid internships for high schoolers and planning engaging career days for bigger groups. The alignment between DPR and Girls Inc. is natural. Girls Inc.'s research-based model is proven to strengthen academic engagement, leadership development, and long-term success, and DPR's community impact initiatives are working to address the goal of introducing young people to careers in their industry. An early supporter of the Strong, Smart & Bold Celebration, DPR's engagement with Girls Inc. has evolved into hands-on service that strengthens both the physical environment and opportunities available to girls. When DPR donated their labor and expertise to renovate Girls Inc.'s office and programming suite, they helped create a safer, more functional, and more welcoming space - precisely the kind of environment that correlates with higher levels of trust, engagement, and support in the Strong, Smart & Bold Outcomes Survey. One of the most transformative expansions of this partnership occurred with the launch of Design & Build Camp in 2025. DPR provided funding for essential PPE, curriculum guidance, and two immersive days on one of Philadelphia's most ambitious construction sites: the Roberts Children's Health expansion at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, a 26-story facility built in partnership with LF Driscoll. Exposure to work like this is especially significant because middle-school girls' confidence and participation in STEM often decline sharply, and recent assessments show that the gender gaps in math and science achievement have widened again after the pandemic. At the same time, aptitude-based studies show that many girls possess natural strengths relevant to fields like architecture, construction, and engineering - they've simply never been exposed to them. DPR shows up not just as a sponsor, but as a true partner in its mission. Beyond early exposure, DPR's mentorship continues through their participation in Project Accelerate, Girls Inc.'s national career readiness initiative that has already reached more than 5,900 young women across the network. DPR hosts interns, provides real-world experience, and supports young women during the critical transition from high school to college and careers. One powerful example is Imani, whose DPR internship became a turning point in her post-secondary path. When she stepped onto a DPR project site for the first time, she later shared it was the moment she realized engineering was not only for "someone else," but for her. Today, Imani is studying civil engineering at Howard University. This work sits within a broader labor-market reality: women remain significantly underrepresented in construction, making up only 11.2% of the workforce as of 2024 - the highest share in two decades yet still disproportionately low. In skilled trades roles, the gap is even wider, with women representing just about 4% of workers. For the company's sustained commitment, transformative mentorship, skills-based service, and measurable impact - Girls Inc. will proudly honor DPR Construction as the 2026 Champion for Girls at the 24th Annual Strong, Smart & Bold Celebration on April 23, 2026. This honor reflects DPR's extraordinary dedication and the profound difference they make alongside the girls Girls, Inc. serve. DPR is extraordinary - this honor reflects the futures they help its girls build. As Girls, Inc. prepare to celebrate this remarkable partnership, Girls, Inc. invite its community to join Girls, Inc. in honoring the work, the impact, and the shared belief in a world where every girl can grow up strong, smart, and boldly in charge of her own story.