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Printer-Friendly ModeAthletic field, Pioneer renovations continue
New Bay Road electronic sign, Wickes student services remodel on horizon
November 20, 2006 —
Renovations to the baseball and softball fields are approximately 75 percent complete, University officials say.
Construction workers are currently pouring concrete for the $890,000 project that will add new dugouts and bleachers to both fields, says Director of Engineering Services Gerald Stuart. Stuart says the project, which began in mid-September, is on schedule and should be completed for the beginning of the season.
The renovations are the final part of a three-phase plan to improve the University's athletic facilities. Phase I of the renovations was the now-completed addition of seating to Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium and the renovation of Cardinal Gym, while Phase II included the construction of the new concession and restroom facility near the stadium.
Officials say Phase III will make the baseball and softball facilities some of the best in the conference as permanent bleachers will provide seating for 346 people at the baseball field and 191 at the softball field.
The Phase also gives each field bigger dugouts, with room for 40 players on the baseball field and 25 on the softball field. The renovations will also upgrade the press box and batting cages.
"I'm pretty impressed with how far [the workers] have gotten," says Assistant Vice President of Campus Facilities Steve Hocquard. "They've been out there in pretty poor weather doing a real good job. They're really moving."
In addition to the athletic fields, the $16 million project to renovate and add to Pioneer Hall is also on schedule. Stuart says workers are hoping to have the renovated area enclosed and heated soon so work can continue through the winter months.
In other construction news, the University hopes to have its new Bay Road sign in place within the next several weeks. The new electronic sign will replace the older traditional one that was located near the corner of Bay and Pierce roads. The sign will have a large LCD screen to display upcoming events and other news.
Hocquard says the sign installation has been delayed while the University determined the best method to control it.
Officials considered a number of options, including dropping fiber optics cables, before settling on updating wirelessly. Hocquard says, while the sign may be physically in place soon, it will probably take longer for it to become operational.
Hocquard also mentioned the University is planning to update and renovate the student services area of Wickes Hall where the Cashier's, Registrar's, and other offices are located.
"It's an area we use quite a bit for orientation, and it's one of the first areas people see," Hocquard says. "After we did the work on the admissions office, it sort of stands out as needing some work."
Hocquard estimates the project will begin and be completed in the summer.