The University of Minnesota has selected M.A. Mortenson to build its new Athletics Village, which will offer upgraded facilities for basketball and football, as well as academic resources for student-athletes.

The Golden Valley-based development company is no stranger to sports complexes. Mortenson is erecting the new Vikings Stadium and ranks as the second-largest sports builder in the U.S. It's also constructing the new Atlanta Braves ballpark.

Among their many other notable sports projects include local landmarks Target Field, Xcel Energy Center and TCF Bank Stadium.

Interestingly, earlier this month Mortenson appointed a new director of project development for its Sports Group, Logan Gerken — a former Gophers basketball player and a Minnesota graduate in architecture.

The university hopes to break ground no later than September, with a targeted completion date of July 2017.

KRISTEN Leigh PAINTER