Mercy University breaks ground on $19.5 million Westchester fieldhouse

Mercy University has started construction on a 35,000-square-foot fieldhouse at its Westchester Campus in Dobbs Ferry, a project tied to its Momentum 2030 plan and aimed at boosting student life, recruitment and community use. The facility is slated to open in 2028 and is part of an $87 million capital improvements push across the university.

Why it matters: - The new fieldhouse is designed to strengthen student engagement, recruitment and retention at Mercy University. - The project adds a major community-facing space to the Westchester Campus in Dobbs Ferry. - The fieldhouse is part of Mercy University’s broader $87 million five-year capital improvements plan.

What happened: - Mercy University broke ground on a new $19.5 million fieldhouse at its Westchester Campus. - The Village of Irvington approved the project in February 2026. - The 35,000-square-foot facility is a milestone in the university’s Momentum 2030 strategic plan. - The project is intended to improve the student experience and serve surrounding communities. - The fieldhouse will be named the Kenneth L. Bove Fieldhouse after longtime university supporter Ken Bove, president and CEO of DCW Media.

The details: - The project was designed with Alloy Design Studio. - The main event floor will span 21,000 square feet and support three full courts. - The courts will be used for tennis, pickleball, volleyball and basketball. - The space will serve varsity, intramural and recreational use. - The multi-purpose area will also host campus open house events and other formal and informal student activities. - A mezzanine walking track will wrap around the main floor and offer views of the Hudson River. - A two-story program wing will include informal gathering space, locker rooms, changing areas, administrative offices, an activities desk, program rooms and flexible meeting spaces. - The plan also includes a new stone-and-grass pedestrian quad linking to the Metro-North train path. - A rear outdoor plaza will provide additional space for campus and community gatherings. - The design emphasizes sustainability through daylighting, water-conserving fixtures, building management systems and new landscaping with native tree plantings. - Arborists and environmental consultants helped develop the landscaping and tree canopy plan.

Between the lines: - The fieldhouse is being positioned as a central hub for both athletics and campus life, not just a sports building. - Mercy University is using physical upgrades to support enrollment goals and a stronger sense of belonging. - The community access angle suggests the university is trying to deepen ties with Dobbs Ferry and Irvington while modernizing campus infrastructure. - Ken Bove’s naming recognition reflects a long-running relationship between the donor and the university.

What’s next: - The first phase of the project is already underway. - That phase includes relocated parking areas, new outdoor recreation courts, pedestrian pathways and landscape improvements in the north-central campus. - The first phase is scheduled for completion in December. - Construction of the fieldhouse building and adjacent riverfront sitework will follow immediately. - Full project completion is expected in 2028. - Mercy University is also renovating the Mercy Hall complex after completing classroom and lab renovations in other areas of campus.

The bottom line: - Mercy University is turning a major capital investment into a new center of student, athletic and community activity on its Westchester Campus. - The project is meant to modernize facilities now while supporting long-term growth.