The Bavendick Center is positioned on the BSC campus to overlook the MDU Resources Community Bowl and the Missouri River. It will seat approximately 2,000 screaming Mystics fans, which is roughly four times larger than the current home of Mystics athletics.

• The new Bavendick Center will be home to Mystics basketball, volleyball, wrestling, esports competitions, and athletic training areas
• The facility will also include:
  • A student hub
  • Intramural sports
  • An indoor walking track
  • Rock-climbing walls
  • A virtual reality sports simulator
• Other uses for the arena space include:
  • On-campus graduation ceremonies
  • Entertainment performances
  • Gym space to host sports camps and tournaments

The BSC Armory was constructed in 1961 for the ND National Guard’s operational needs and repurposed by BSC for athletics and academics.
 
Flash forward to 2023 – the BSC Armory is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act because it does not properly accommodate individuals with accessibility needs – students or guests.
 
In addition, the Armory is not compliant with Title IX requirements and regulations. The female locker room is not equipped with showers or restrooms and female student-athletes must use public restrooms during games and practices, whereas male athletes have access to private facilities.
 
And finally, the Armory doesn’t have a fire suppression system, there’s no external air exchange to the building interior, 2 of 4 air handling systems are not operational, there’s no air conditioning or central air, and the doors and walls are too close to the gymnasium competition floor... just to name a few.
 

Many possible updates are being discussed for the BSC Armory including:

• A Mystics baseball and softball training center
• Mystics track training rooms for throwing events
• A Mystics trap shooting simulator range
• A venue for student intramurals
• Mystic Media studios and offices
• Mass Communication classrooms and labs
• And more!

Imagine a place where every BSC student—past, present, and future—can come together to compete, connect and celebrate like never before and a facility that will elevate athletics to the next level for our communities’ athletes and fans. Whether it’s catching a Mystics game in the 2000-seat stadium, joining a rec league, or enjoying a variety of campus events, this facility will have it all.
 
In addition to collegiate athletic competitions, the Bavendick Center will also include:

• A student hub
• Intramural sports
• An indoor walking track
• Rock-climbing walls
• A virtual reality sports simulator

Other uses for the arena space include:

• On-campus graduation ceremonies
• Entertainment performances
• Gym space to host sports camps and tournaments

The Bavendick Center is positioned on the BSC campus to overlook the MDU Resources Community Bowl and the Missouri River. It is located near the BSC Aquatic and Wellness Center, where the former BSC Library used to be.

Right now, the anticipated completion date is Spring 2026.

A generous lead gift from the Frank and Joanne Bavendick family, coupled with student fees and additional community and employee donations, will provide the funds to construct the new $40 million facility.

The overall mandatory student fee at BSC is increasing $22.50 per credit and the 12-credit hour cap will be removed beginning in Fall 2025 to fund this historic project. It is important to note that even with the change in mandatory fees, BSC will still have the 2^nd lowest tuition plus mandatory and online fees in the North Dakota University System.

 

The new fee structure will affect students enrolled at BSC from Fall 2025 to Fall 2055.

That depends on your individual student aid package, but yes, it is possible for Financial Aid and scholarships to be applied to student fees.