TicketsCINCINNATI, Ohio -- The University of Cincinnati will observe a major milestone in the construction of the Richard E. Lindner Athletic Center with a topping ceremony on Thursday, April 21.
The final iron beam for the building will be signed by members of the Lindner family, university dignitaries, athletic department staff, key supporters of the project and members of the architect and construction teams following a ceremony which will be held in Nippert Stadium beginning at 11 a.m.
An evergreen tree will also be commemorated and later planted when the building grounds are landscaped.
The topping or topping off ceremony is a tradition which originated in ancient Egypt. Its origin is believed to be from the completion of Egypt's first stone building in 2700 B.C., the Step Pyramid of King Zoer, when a live plant was placed on the building in honor of those who died during its construction. Over the past century, iron workers have celebrated the placing of the final beam and their responsibilities for construction.
The Richard E. Lindner Athletic Center is the centerpiece of the Richard E. Lindner Varsity Village, an integration and upgrade of UC's athletic facilities. The building will provide centralized administrative and coaching offices, reception and meeting space, a museum detailing the history of the university and its sports programs, a practice gymnasium, and new facilities for academic services and sports medicine. It will also house UC's Student Health Services and Faculty Club.
Other features of Varsity Village include new stadiums for baseball, track and soccer, which have already been completed, a tennis complex, renovation of Armory Fieldhouse, strength and conditioning center and the construction of a boat house for the rowing team.