Construction of new tennis courts, grass fields and a jogging track is nearing completion, a project that University officials hope will significantly upgrade campus recreational facilities.
Depending on the weather, construction could be complete by mid-November, Physical Activity and Recreation Services Director Dennis Munroe said. The facilities will be available for limited use only until spring 2006.
The project began after construction of the Living Learning Center displaced the old tennis courts in summer 2004. University policy dictates that because Housing was building on top of the tennis courts, Housing was responsible for replacing them.
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of University Housing Mike Eyster said he saw the relocation of the tennis courts as an opportunity.
“We could have placed those tennis courts any number of places,” he said. “We actually got together as a group to figure out where we could get the most value for students.”
The new facilities cost approximately $1.8 million, half of which was paid by Housing. The athletic department and PARS paid the remaining cost.
PARS was able to use money left over from a $10 million bond referendum passed by students, initially earmarked to remodel the recreation center. Students pay $15.25 each term for the recreation center bond.
The new courts will meet Division I standards. Varsity tennis athletes will share the courts with Club sports, an arrangement that excites Club Sports Director Sandy Vaughn.
“We’re assuming that more courts on campus will be open to our use,” she said. “This is helping us accomplish a very long-running goal.”
Students will be able to reserve court time, Munroe said.
“We feel strongly that part of our mission is to accommodate drop-in recreation,” he said. “We purposely put unscheduled time during prime-time.”
A 400-meter track will encircle the tennis courts. Munroe said the new track is an improvement on the old warm-up track used by track and field athletes.
Housing collaborated with the athletic department and PARS to find the ideal location for the new courts.
The group agreed to build on the open space immediately south of Hayward Field. Previously, the location consisted of several grass fields and a warm-up track used by track and field athletes.
Hayward Field is being considered as a prospective host site for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, and Munroe hopes the new warm-up track will increase the quality of Hayward in the eyes of the selection committee.
“The early indication was they liked this new development,” he said.
New lighting will allow students to use the track during open hours.
Depending on the weather, the tennis courts and track will be open for limited use this winter. The addition of two new grass fields will not be ready for use until late spring.

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