The Future Looks Like This

The Future State project will turn campus into a regional hub for athletics, arts and wellness.

By Amanda Dyslin '03, '15

In September 2025, Minnesota State University, Mankato publicly launched its $60 million The Future State campaign, an ambitious effort to reimagine the south side of campus as a vibrant hub for recreation, wellness, athletics and community life.

At first glance, the plans are impressive: a 6,500-seat multipurpose stadium, a new track and field complex and a new residential and mixed-use building, among other improvements. But talk to the people closest to the project, and a deeper story emerges—one about belonging, access and connection.

“It’s when all of the parts click together that it really becomes something special,” said Amy Cooney, vice president of University Advancement. “Independently, each piece is exciting. But when you put them all together and see how they converge, that’s when you realize the full impact.”

At the heart of the project is the state-of-the-art Becky and Glen Taylor Community Stadium, expandable to 12,000 seats for concerts and large-scale events, that is expected to open in 2029. Designed to host more than 115 events annually, the venue represents a dramatic shift in how campus spaces are used and who they’re for. The stadium will welcome high school competitions and regional concerts, for example, drawing an estimated 122,000 new visitors to campus each year.

For Cooney, that shift reflects a broader vision.

“This is really about creating a ‘quality of place’ asset,” she said. “It’s about building something that enhances the experience of being here, whether you’re a student, a resident or a visitor.”

That regional emphasis is echoed by community leaders, including Nancy Zallek, president and CEO of Mankato Area Foundation. From her perspective, the project has the potential to reshape the relationship between campus and community in lasting ways.

“I really like how it flips the script,” Zallek said. “In many communities, there’s a ‘town and gown’ divide. This invites the community into the campus space and enhances that relationship. For the vibrancy of Mankato and the University, we need to be in partnership.”

Zallek points to both the tangible and ripple effects. Increased events on campus mean more visitors in Mankato, which mean more hotel stays and more activity for local businesses. But just as important is the exposure to the University, particularly for younger students.

“They can experience (a college campus), feel it and maybe start to envision themselves there one day,” she said. “That’s how you spark aspiration and ultimately strengthen the talent pipeline for the entire region.”

That sense of accessibility is woven throughout The Future State project design. A new plaza will provide flexible green space for markets, performances and everyday gatherings. The mixed-use residence hall building will be able to house more than 300 students and include retail, food service and community-facing clinics centered around health and wellness.

“Those clinics are a particularly meaningful addition, extending healthcare access to both the campus and the broader Mankato community within a single, integrated space,” Cooney said.

Construction on the first phase is expected to begin in late 2027. Future expansions will include upgrades to the walking and biking trails, as well as recreational amenities like pickleball and tennis courts, which will be open to both students and the community.

“There’s no shortage of ways for people to connect with this project,” Cooney said. “Some are passionate about workforce development and retaining graduates in Mankato. Others are excited about expanded healthcare access or youth sports opportunities. It’s the combination of impacts that really resonates.”

While the campaign goal is $60 million in philanthropic support, the total project impact is expected to approach $140 million. The entire effort is being funded through private support, a reflection of shared belief in the University’s future.
That future is already generating excitement among those who will experience it most directly: students.

“As an athlete, obviously having those facilities is a huge opportunity,” said Paige Larsen, a sophomore who competes in track and field and cross country.

For senior hurdler Keaton Wattier, the improvements are also about competitiveness.

“When I transferred here, I already liked the facilities and the campus,” he said. “The Future State just takes that to another level. Better facilities help with recruiting and really put us ahead in Division II.”

While athletics play a central role, they’re far from the whole story.

“Athletics can be the window to our University,” said Steve Duea, a 1970 graduate and longtime supporter of Maverick Athletics. “But this is about becoming one of the premier activity centers—not just for the University, but for the Mankato community and all of southern Minnesota.”

Duea also sees the project as a powerful recruitment and retention tool.

“When prospective students visit, there’s going to be a ‘wow’ factor,” Duea said. “It’s the kind of experience that makes someone say, ‘I want to be here.’”