To replace the former baseball and softball fields, a new IU Recreational Sports multipurpose facility is being built, Associate Director of Recreational Sports Jackie Puterbaugh said.
The project is being constructed across from McNutt Quad and will include eight new multipurpose fields that will be used by intramural and club sports teams, she said.
Other students may use the fields when the teams aren’t using them, she said, but the primary focus of the project is adding much-needed fields for club and intramural teams.
“This is a great opportunity, and the students have wanted this quality recreational space for a long time,” said Tom Morrison, vice president of Capital Planning and Facilities.
There was a previous facility where the new baseball and softball fields currently stand, and this is a relocation of that facility, Puterbaugh said.
Morrison said it’s not just a relocation, but a complete upgrade.
“We are increasing the quality of the fields as they will now be able to be used in all conditions, and we are adding more quantity of fields,” he said.
The new location is closer to the student population in the residence halls and also on Jordan Avenue, where many of the University’s greek houses are located, ?he said.
“The project is going to include adding turf fields because when we had a lot of rain, the fields had to be closed,” Puterbaugh said. “Now with the turf fields, there will be better playing conditions.”
Combatting the rain that comes with springtime, the new turf fields will be open more often than regular ?grass fields.
“I’m excited about these new fields as it eliminates the inconvenience of so many rain-out games,” freshman Tom Chaffee said. “It’s also exciting knowing we attend a university that provides its students with the best ?facilities possible.”
He said that when he played intramural soccer this spring, the fields were closed many times due to poor field conditions because of rain.
“The windows to actually use the fields are short enough due to the seasons, and adding turf allows those windows to be extended,” Morrison said.
The facility will also include lighting, which goes well with the turf so the fields can be used in all hours, Morrison said.
During construction, the area will have to be leveled because it is located on a hill, and the three small buildings will be renovated for storage and to allow students to check out equipment, ?Puterbaugh said.
The project will cost $5 million, yet Morrison said he thinks it is well worth it because recreational sports is an important part of campus.
“When the students return in the fall, the project should be complete and ready for use,” he said.
