Ground Breaking on the New Turf Fields

Work is now underway on the new artificial turf fields for Millersville University.  The fields will be paid for by funds remaining from the Student Memorial Center renovations in 2011.

The University Student Senate agreed to support the $2.5 million project, which will include two turf fields located behind Pucillo Gymnasium. The fields will be used by both campus recreation sports and intercollegiate athletics. The turf will cover an area nearly 800 feet in length and include a regulation soccer field and an 80-yard football field. The facility will provide campus recreation sports with flexibility of use and a variety of options including three flag football fields, two side-by-side Ultimate Frisbee fields and two softball fields.

“These new fields will provide better opportunities for our students to be able to utilize our facilities,” said Justin Miller, president of the Millersville University Student Senate. “We currently only have one turf field, and it is difficult having all of our athletic teams trying to use the fields…Students who are involved with intramurals and club sports will greatly benefit from these fields, since it will be a greater area for them to compete on, especially at night since all of the lighting is going to be upgraded. Overall, the fields will become NCAA official, which will allow for students to have better experiences and possibly recruit more students to become involved in any of those areas.”

Ground breaking on the project is set for later this month, and the facility is expected to be completed in August of this year. The University contracted LandTek Group Inc. from Amityville, N.Y. to oversee the project.

The primary turf field will also serve as a competition stadium for the Millersville University soccer programs. A press box, with seating for 700 fans and a permanent scoreboard are set to be constructed. Intercollegiate athletics plans to use the fields not only for Division II competition but also additional practice space.

“Athletics could not be more excited about this project, and we are extremely grateful for the cooperation with student senate and campus recreation,” said Millersville director of athletics Peg Kauffman. “This is a tremendous endeavor by the University and its students. It promises to be a first-class facility that all of the University’s students can enjoy.”