Construction on Ruane Friar Development Center underway at Providence College

By Bianca Buono

bbuono@abc6.com

@BBuonoABC6

Officials broke ground on a new facility at Providence College Saturday afternoon. The Ruane Friar Development Center is expected to completely transform the campus and have a large effect on student-athletes.

"I have had a lot of enthusiasm for this project to say the least,” said PC Trustee Michael Ruane.

The massive facility will be equipped with an atrium connecting Alumni Hall and Slavin Center and a new dining room; but arguably the most notable feature is a two-court basketball practice facility.

It’s something that men’s head coach Ed Cooley has been pushing for since he started at the college five years ago. Right now, the men’s and women’s basketball teams share one facility so the two teams have to schedule practices around each other.

"It’s hard getting in the gym sometimes. We switch with the women every year as far as practice schedules go and here we can get in whenever we want,” said Sophomore Guard Drew Edwards.

Last season, the Friars made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament and the team’s star guard Kris Dunn was taken fifth overall in the NBA draft.

College officials are now hoping this new center takes the team to the next level.

"I want us to be the best program in the country. I think this helps us,” Cooley said.

This is just phase one of the construction project. It’s set to wrap up in early 2018.

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