Inside The Bobcats Brand-New $25.5M Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center

Montana State University officially opens the doors today to its brand-new Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center, a premier indoor training and competition space that’s been years in the making. Ground broke in July 2024, and in just about a year the facility was completed—an impressive achievement by every measure. I had the chance to get a sneak peek last week, and this facility is nothing short of impressive.

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Montana State University Unveils New Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center

Inside, you’ll find 100 yards of FieldTurf football surface, encompassed by a six-lane, 300-meter track. The surface, a BSS 1000 full-pour polyurethane, is the same high-quality material used for MSU’s outdoor track, installed by Beynon Sports. The drop curtain system stood out to me, allowing multiple sports to practice safely at the same time.

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The space was clearly designed with versatility in mind. Track and field athletes will benefit from competition throwing rings, pole vault runways, long jump and triple jump pits, plus a dedicated high jump apron. For football and other teams, the turf makes year-round training possible, no matter Montana’s unpredictable weather.

The $25.5 million project is completely donor-funded, designed by 45 Architecture & Interiors, and built by Langlas & Associates. It sits just west of MSU’s Bobcat Stadium and will be used by Bobcat varsity athletes during the day, while community sports groups will have access on evenings and weekends.

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Perhaps most fittingly, the building honors two coaching legends, Rob Stark and Dale Kennedy, whose combined decades of leadership shaped Bobcat track and field into what it is today.

Montana State University and Bobcat Athletics will celebrate the grand opening of the new Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center at 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18. The event is free and open to all.

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Walking through the Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center, it’s clear this facility isn’t just about athletics; it’s about legacy, community, and the future of Bobcat sports.

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