Woodlawn not ready for use

Many club sports teams were forced to find a new home for practices and games after the Division of Recreational Sports announced in November it was closing Woodlawn Field for renovations. The reopening was set for this spring, but improvements have not yet been made.\nJackie Puterbaugh, associate director of RecSports, said constant use of the field through sports, concerts and parking led to its deterioration. Puterbaugh said a field expert evaluated the conditions last semester and attributed the problems partly to a poor irrigation system, soil, lighting and a number of large patches throughout the field.\n"A combination of activities began to take their toll on the field," Puterbaugh said. "It was a general consensus that the field was no longer safe after reported injuries."\nThe $1.3 million plan to renovate Woodlawn Field was presented to the University more than two years ago and was approved last semester. Under the proposed plan, the major areas for correction would include fixing the tremendous slope, putting new soil on the field and installing a proper irrigation system, Puterbaugh said.\nDave Hurst, manager of Campus Division, said the field needs a "substantial amount of development" as a result of all the wear and tear from various activities. Hearst said if the weather cooperates, the field will most likely reopen in two weeks.\n"We are doing everything we can to get the field up and running as quickly and as efficiently as possible, but we just can't control the weather," Puterbaugh said. "Our goal is to begin working on the improvements this week and reopen on April 14."\nThe field is home to eight club sports teams, all of which have had to find alternate space for practice. \nEmily Neumann, member of the Ultimate Frisbee team, said she is frustrated because nothing has been done to improve the field.\n"The entire project is one big hassle," Neumann said. "We have important tournaments coming up, and because Jordan Field has no lights, our practices have been much shorter."\nNeumann said she understands the field was in dire need of improvement, but she is tired of waiting for a place to practice.\nSophomore soccer player Bryan Shade said he is getting impatient waiting for the field to be completed. Shade said the soccer team has had to practice in a number of different fields, as opposed to just one.\n"Woodlawn Field is such a central location for everyone," Shade said. "It will be nice when the improvements are made."\nSgt. Brian Dombeck, of the ROTC, said Woodlawn Field has always been used for physical training and drill ceremonies practice. Following the closing of the field, the ROTC relocated behind the military science building and Armstrong Stadium.\n"It was fairly easy for us to move to another place," Dombeck said. "For others that regularly use Woodlawn Field, it might have been more challenging."\nPuterbaugh said the entire project is a "double-edged sword."\n"On one hand, people are upset about the poor conditions," Puterbaugh said. "On the other, they want the field to open right away. These types of projects take a lot of time and money, and the horrendous winter weather set us back"