The athletics department will propose a $77 million expansion and renovation of Hofheinz Pavilion. | Courtesy of UH Athletics

The UH Board of Regents gave the University approval to begin the design phase for the expansion and renovation of Hofheinz Pavilion on Monday.

Mack Rhoades, UH vice president for intercollegiate athletics, said he was excited for the University to move in the right direction on this process.

“It’s a first step, but it’s a big step,” Rhoades said to the Houston Chronicle. “It’s a great day if you are a basketball fan.”

Rhoades also said they will present the findings to UH’s finance committee later this summer, and construction may begin before the year ends and anticipates the the project to be finalized in 2015.

With the project designed to be done in two phases, Rhoades said he prefers to build a practice facility first, which will include two basketball courts, locker rooms and other amenities, and then continue the renovation of Hofheinz.

The renovation and expansion of Hofheinz will likely cause the Cougars to use a different venue for home games.

“Hopefully we can break ground soon,” Rhoades said.

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