Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Board of Trustees for Three Rivers College has approved the college’s proposal for the Libla Family Sports Complex, a new 3,000 seat, 60,000 square foot gymnasium on Three Rivers’ Poplar Bluff Campus. The new facility, which was approved at the January Board of Trustees meeting, will replace the Bess Activity Center as the new home of the college’s Raiders and Lady Raiders basketball teams.
“This is something we’ve been waiting on for a long time, and I feel very blessed that we’re receiving this upgrade to our facilities,” said Gene Bess, coach of the Three Rivers Raiders basketball team. “It’s a great moment for our community to have such a fine sports venue for our teams.”
The Libla Family Sports Complex will become the new home of Gene Bess Court, and will also be convertible into a three-court facility suitable for holding practices and regional high school basketball tournaments. The Sports Complex will also incorporate training and locker room facilities for the Raiders and Lady Raiders, office space, and a Three Rivers Athletics Hall of Fame.
“Everyone’s very excited about this new facility, and I think it’s going to be a beautiful place to play basketball in,” said Jeff Walk, coach for the Lady Raiders women’s basketball team. “It just goes to show you the kind of support that Three Rivers, and the entire community here, puts forward for these teams, and our athletes.”
The Sports Complex will cost an estimated $10.5 million. Over $5.5 million in private funds will be used towards the construction of the new facility, including a significant seven-figure donation from the Libla family. The project is anticipated to go to bid within 30 days of its approval, with Huffman Construction serving as the construction management firm for the project. The college plans to start work on the building as soon as possible after the bid process is completed.
“We’re so proud of our athletics teams at Three Rivers, especially the long list of achievements that Coach Bess has given to us during his decades here as coach of the Raiders,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College. “As we approach our institution’s 50th anniversary, it’s our turn to give back to our coaches and athletes, and provide them a home that will last for the next 50 years of Raiders athletics.”
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.
Three Rivers College has approved a proposal for the Libla Family Sports Complex, a 60,000 square-foot, 3,000 seat gymnasium that will serve as the new home for the college’s basketball and women’s basketball teams.