Construction is set to begin on Aug. 24, 2026, on the first phase of Rice University's $120 million Gateway Project — the Patricia Lipoma Kraft '87 and Jonathan A. Kraft Football Pavilion.
The 80,000-sq.-ft. facility will feature a full-length turf football field under a split gable roof, with immediate access from the Owls' current grass practice field behind the Patterson Center.
The open-air design will maximize airflow and cooling during Houston's hot summer months, allow Rice student-athletes to safely train during inclement weather, and maintain an outdoor environment.
The construction of the training facility will provide Owls fans with a first taste of the dramatic changes on the horizon as part of The Gateway Project.
“The Krafts' extraordinary generosity will have a transformative impact on our athletic department and the daily experience of our student-athletes,” said Eric George, interim director of athletics. “This state-of-the-art practice pavilion provides a safe, efficient and elite training environment directly adjacent to our existing facilities, allowing our team to prepare at the highest level while prioritizing student-athlete well-being.”
Nations Group is overseeing the collegiate athletic capital facility and stadium renovation process, although a primary general contractor hasn't been named.
Staging and fencing for the project is scheduled to begin the week of Aug. 24, with completion projected for early in the spring of 2027. The Owls' current indoor practice facility, the Waltrip Indoor Training Center, will remain in use during the construction of the new practice pavilion.
In November of 2025, Rice announced the Gateway Project, development designed to create a pedestrian-friendly link between the campus and Rice Village.
The initiative will transform the university's west side, with the renovation of Rice Stadium serving as a central feature. Grounded in Rice's 30-year Campus Land Use Plan, the project aims to integrate infrastructure, student life, athletics and community engagement in a cohesive vision that supports both the university's growth and Houston's future.
The project includes a major renovation of Rice Stadium, reimaging the venerable landmark as a “stadium in a park” — a sustainable, community-centered venue designed for a wide range of sports, events and gatherings.
The centerpiece of the Gateway Project is a new pedestrian-focused street extending Amherst Avenue east from Morningside Drive to Greenbriar Drive, creating a direct link between Rice Village and the Rice University campus.
This new corridor will feature tree-lined walkways, lighting, greenspaces, and upgraded infrastructure such as drainage, sewer, and water systems. It will encourage a vibrant mix of uses — including retail, housing, restaurants, and a grocery store — and include a public green space for community events and performances.
The Gateway Project also features a major renovation of Rice Stadium, the 75-year-old landmark known for hosting Super Bowl VIII (1974) and President John F. Kennedy's 1962 “Moon Speech.” The stadium will be reimagined as a “stadium in a park” — a sustainable, community-centered venue designed for a wide range of sports, events and gatherings.
