Jan. 3, 2008

Auburn - The Jonathan B. Lovelace Museum housed in the Auburn Athletics Complex will be temporarily closed, effective immediately, while its new home in the Auburn basketball arena is under construction.

The Lovelace Museum will reopen during the 2010-11 academic year. Some of the athletic memorabilia will be housed in the Rane Room, located in the lobby of the Athletics Complex.

Construction of the new $92.5 million basketball arena and practice facility will break ground in June of 2008 with the facility opening prior to the 2010-11 season.

The arena, with an approximate capacity of 9,600, will include more than 29,000 square feet of student-athlete space, a two-court practice facility, coaches offices, the Auburn University Athletic Ticket Office, an AU Team Store, the relocated Lovelace Museum, two food courts along with many other amenities.

The Lovelace Museum opened in April 1996, and features displays and interactive exhibits which takes visitors from the training table to the Olympic games with Auburn athletes past and present.