Sacramento State president Alexander Gonzalez has selected the Recreation, Wellness and Events Center architect by extending an “intent to award” to Ellerbe Becket, University Union Director Leslie Davis said today.

“They were superior to the other architects. It was a tough battle because they are all good,” said Davis, who is a member of the committee that selected the architect.

Ellerbe Becket, which has a partnership firm in San Francisco, has built various sports buildings like the new Charlotte Arena for the NBA Bobcats in Charlotte, N.C., the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., for the NBA Memphis Grizzlies, and Gonzaga University’s McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Wash.

“They have tons of experience building these types of facilities,” Davis said.

Up next, after Ellerbe Becket confirms, is negotiation for a cost, Davis said.

Concurrently with negotiations, a stage for programming will commence with meetings with students, faculty and staff regarding what will actually go inside the building, Davis said, but it is unknown how long this stage will take.

“They were hugely qualified. They made most dynamic understanding of what we want,” Davis said.