New Soccer Field/Track Complex
As part of its commitment to recreation and athletics programs, Meredith College is planning to invest up to $4.3 million for a new soccer field and track complex.
“The new complex will be an incredible recruiting tool. Once prospective athletes walk into the facility, it will be a place where that they will want to play. It will be one of the premier facilities in the conference,” said Jackie Myers, athletics director.
The Board of Trustees approved the funding for the new facility at their Fall 2007 meeting. The new complex will include an athletic field capable of supporting soccer and lacrosse teams. The first phase to include grading, utilities, facilities access, sports lighting, the track and athletic field are expected to be completed in December 2008.
- Why does Meredith need a new soccer field? Why can’t the existing field be renovated?
Meredith’s existing soccer field does not meet the current minimum requirements for NCAA play. Without meeting current NCAA requirements, we cannot host conference or tournament play at home. The location of Meredith’s current field, which is bordered by a road, the greenway and a driving range, does not allow room for adequate expansion. The long range plan also includes a surrounding track and support facilities and the current location does not provide space for those additions.
- Where will the new field be located?
The complex will be positioned at an angle in the middle of the front lawn bordered by Hillsborough Street to the south, Faircloth Street to the east, the Main Campus drive to the west and the lake and amphitheatre to the north. The facility can either be reached by the access road or a series of campus walkways. The walkways will flow from the amphitheater and the existing round-about at the front of campus.
The site was selected for a mixture of desired attributes including the natural bowl shape to the landscape. It was also the area that preserved the most of the large oak trees. The location will allow the use of the support facilities for other activities on campus including graduation in the amphitheater and other large events.
- Why was the front of campus chosen for the soccer field?
By locating the soccer field and track near the front of campus, Meredith is providing visible evidence that athletics are an important part of the Meredith experience. The field and track are also expected to create a sense of vibrancy at the front of the campus.
Practically, moving the soccer field to the front of campus is necessary because soccer fields must be positioned in a North/South orientation, which limited the available space on campus. Other advantages of this location include ease of irrigation, visible proximity to the security station on Main Campus Drive, and access to existing parking along the front drive, Alumnae lot and Chapel lot.
- Who has been involved in the planning process?
Meredith has worked with the consulting firm Brailsford and Dunlavey to review the College’s master plan as it relates to athletics facilities. Brailsford and Dunlavey representatives made several visits to campus during late spring and summer 2007. During these visits, they met with athletics department faculty and staff, students and others to begin the process of exploring options for building a new soccer facility. The group guiding the planning for this project includes Maureen Hartford, president; Jean Jackson, vice president for college programs; Bill Wade, vice president for business and finance; Allen Page, vice president for academic programs; Marie Chamblee, dean of the School of Education, Health and Human Sciences; Melinda Campbell, professor of health and exercise and sports science; Jackie Myers, athletics director; Tom Sherry, director of operations; and Harry Cadman, assistant director of project and grounds.
The plan to relocate the soccer field was reviewed by the business and finance and executive committees of the Meredith Board of Trustees and presented to the full board for review at their fall meeting. The Board of Trustees voted to approve up to $4.3 million in funding to complete the planning for and to begin construction on the field.
- What will the new field be like?
The new field will be surrounded by a competition level track to support track and field events as well as student recreation. Sports lighting will illuminate the playing surfaces and allow for adjustment according to its use. Grassed seating on the slopes surrounding the field will provide a natural setting for sporting events. The main plaza from the entrance of the facility to the grandstands will feature a covered brick arcade to match the campus architecture.
Future phases of the project will include a 248-seat grandstand, hospitality areas, support facilities, restrooms, locker rooms and a storage facility for track and field equipment.
The field surface—grass or artificial—is still being determined.
- What is the time frame for building the field? When will it open?
The first phases of the project are scheduled to be complete by the fall of 2008 and ready for use during the 2008 soccer season.
- Will the new field’s location mean that Meredith can no longer host large scale events like Race for the Cure? Will the field effect overflow parking for events like commencement?
We anticipate that we can still host large events like Race for the Cure with some modifications in the way those events are set up. In addition, the campus lawn will still feature enough open space to allow for room to park for large events. The support facilities will also be beneficial to spring commencement and other activities being held in the amphitheater.
Meredith sponsors six sports in the NCAA Division III and is a member of the USA South Athletic Conference. Sports fielded include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.
For more information about Meredith College soccer and the new soccer field, please visit www.meredith.edu/athletics.
