Florida postpones O'Connell Center renovation for year

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) A $60 million renovation to the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, originally scheduled to begin in March, has been postponed a year.

The school announced the delay Wednesday, saying a change in construction companies led to the postponement.

New university president Kent Fuchs says it's ''incumbent on us to take the time and do it right.''

The delay will allow the new construction team to finish design plans, which are about 60 percent complete.

All athletic events typically held in the O'Connell Center are expected to continue without interruption for the 2015-16 season, including men's and women's basketball, volleyball and gymnastics.

Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley says ''we remain 100 percent committed to this project. The $60 million that we have already earmarked for the project is indicative of this commitment.''