Penn State University opened its newest sports facility in the summer of 1999. The new Indoor Track Facility replaces an outdated facility which was demolished to make room for the new football training facility. The building, named Multisport Facility, contains two portions, the Box and the Program Building. The 115,000-sq-ft Box houses the 200-meter track with hydraulically banked curves, a 56-yard Astroturf field, weight training facility, and the spectator stand. The Program Building contains the public spaces such as offices and locker room facilities.
The architectural firms NBBJ (Columbus, OH) and Hoffman Popovich (Boalsburg, PA) teamed with Parfitt/Ling Consulting Engineers (State College, PA) and construction manager Barclay White (Blue Bell, PA) to undertake the project under a fast-track scenario. After budget constraints emerged, the engineer replaced the all-air mechanical system with a cross ventilation system for cooling and a low-intensity infrared system for heating. This reduced mechanical system and both mechanical and general construction costs, the mechanical room space requirement, and resulted in significant annual fuel savings which made the design very appealing to the university.