Miami University trustees weigh Cook Field arena district plan as RedHawks chase an undefeated season

A high-stakes vote arrives amid a breakout season

Miami University’s Board of Trustees is expected to decide whether to move forward, modify, pause, or halt plans for a proposed new multipurpose arena and surrounding event district in Oxford, Ohio. The decision comes as the RedHawks men’s basketball team is in the midst of a historic season, with Millett Hall hosting renewed demand and repeated sellouts.

Miami’s men’s program, which has played for more than a century, is pursuing a milestone run that has energized students, alumni, and local supporters. The women’s basketball team has also posted one of the strongest seasons in program history, adding to the visibility of the university’s current athletic facilities and long-term venue debate.

What is being proposed

The current plan centers on replacing Millett Hall, which opened in 1968, with a new arena and related facilities on Cook Field, a recreational greenspace widely used by students. University planning has framed the proposal as a broader “arena district” concept, with the potential to anchor campus events beyond athletics and support economic activity near campus.

University communications and trustee materials over the past year have placed projected project costs in the roughly $200 million range. University leaders have also cited significant deferred maintenance and accessibility concerns at Millett Hall and have argued that renovation costs could rise substantially once code compliance and modern expectations are accounted for.

• Proposed location: Cook Field
• Current facility: Millett Hall (opened 1968)
• Primary users: men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball
• Key alternatives discussed: major renovation of Millett Hall versus full replacement

Community response and the Cook Field tradeoff

The proposal has generated sustained opposition focused on the loss of Cook Field as open space and the scale of the investment. Separate survey efforts have reported large majorities opposing an arena on Cook Field, with respondents favoring preservation of the greenspace. Advocates for the arena have argued that a new venue could strengthen recruiting, scheduling, and the overall fan experience, and that a modern facility would broaden the university’s ability to host commencements, concerts, and other large gatherings.

The trustees’ decision is expected to determine whether the project proceeds as designed, is revised, or is paused while the university reassesses scope, financing, or site impacts.

Financing, timeline, and what the vote could change

Administrators have described philanthropy as a major pillar of the funding strategy, alongside other sources. A separate set of trustee discussions has pointed to the need for final budget approvals, refined cost estimates, and a timeline before any full construction authorization.

If trustees choose to continue the project, next steps typically include deeper design work, detailed cost modeling, and formal approvals that would govern procurement and construction sequencing. If trustees pause or seek modifications, the university would likely revisit the balance between a new build and renovation, the footprint at Cook Field, and how recreational space could be replaced or relocated.

For now, Miami’s winning season has highlighted both sides of the debate: the immediate value of a packed Millett Hall and the longer-term question of what kind of facility—and campus land use—the university should commit to for the next several decades.