Macomb Community College’s Athletics & Expo Center reopens after 14-month renovation
Facility hosts large-scale community events and serves as home for the college’s athletics teams

Macomb Community College’s 101,000-square-foot Athletics & Expo Center has reopened after a 14-month renovation. The facility on the college’s South Campus in Warren hosts more than 55 events and 100,000 visitors annually, and serves as the home for the Monarchs, Macomb’s nine intercollegiate teams with more than 100 student athletes.

“We are excited to welcome back the community and our student athletes to Macomb’s Athletics & Expo Center,” said Lori Gonko, president, Macomb Community College. “Since 1999, this facility has been home to our Monarchs while serving as a large-scale convening space that brings people together to learn, to celebrate and to enrich their lives.”

The installation of a new HVAC system benefits the entire facility. However, the athletics center features the most dramatic visual upgrades, from fully integrating into the environment the Monarch’s mascot logo, which was introduced in July 2024, to modernizing the facilities to support the needs of the college’s teams and student athletes. The updates include a reimagined weight room, enhanced gym space and an expansion from one set of locker rooms for men and women to separate locker rooms for home and visiting teams, a referee locker room and an improved trainer’s room.

“This renovation is a huge, necessary upgrade to best serve Macomb’s student athletes, our students, coaches, visiting opponents and spectators,” said Bryan Rizzo, director, Macomb Community College Athletics. “We are excited about the new facilities and believe they will provide a great experience for everyone.”

Macomb’s nine athletic teams are men’s baseball, women’s softball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s track and field. The Monarchs compete in the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association in Division II, Region XII, as members of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, who is also a Macomb Community College alumnus, noted at the facility’s opening event on Sept. 3, “The Athletics & Expo Center is a tremendous asset here in our backyard in Macomb County. What an incredible job on the renovation’s details and efficiencies made to upgrade this facility. Congratulations, this is a proud moment for Macomb Community College and for Macomb County.”

Multiple enhancements were also made to the expo center, which offers more than 61,000-square-foot of unobstructed floor space and seating for more than 4,000. Updates include improved amenities, including better visitor flow in common areas and expanded restroom capacity along with additional meeting space. The facility hosts the college’s two annual commencement ceremonies and is rented to support large-scale events in the community, including high school commencements, conferences and trade shows, job fairs, hobby shows and athletic competitions.  

The cost to renovate the Athletics and Expo Center was $15,990,000. Integrated Design Solutions served as the architect and Barton Malow was the construction manager. 

About Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges, providing learning experiences to nearly 38,000 students annually. Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded by community colleges and is one of the largest grantors of associate degrees in Michigan. The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities.

Media Contact: Rachel LePoudre, APR, 586.445.7271, lepoudrer417@macomb.edu