Projects and Enhancements posted 4/1/06

In addition to improving Adrian College's academic programs, the Renaissance Plan inlcudes several dramatic improvements to athletic facilities, residence halls, and extracurricular life. Here are some of the highlights.

Multisport Performance Stadium [construction photos]

In January, Adrian broke ground on a new $5.5 million multisport performance stadium that will be ready for play by the fall of 2006.

Features:
State-of-the-art synthetic turf
Stadium lighting
Seating for at least 2,500
Alumni Picnic Pavilion (at right in image above)

Location: Behind the Merillat Sport & Fitness Center

Sports:
Men’s and women’s soccer, football, men’s and women’s lacrosse,
field hockey, and intramurals

Timeline: Ready for play fall 2006

Enrollment impact:
40 new students for lacrosse, 20 for field hockey, and a powerful recruiting
tool for existing programs

Quote:
“The new performance stadium is exactly what Adrian needs. The ‘Mape’ [Maple Stadium] was fine, but it’s time we moved from a high school field to our own facility. The excitement on campus is incredible.”-Taz Wallace, Adrian College All American middle linebacker (The football teams currently shares a field across town with Adrian High School.)

Pool

When the Merillat Sport & Fitness Center was constructed in the early 1990s, it was built for a natatorium to be added at a later date. That date is now. The pool will mark the long-awaited completion of the building.

Features:
Deep pool with eight lanes
Floating electronic bulkhead (moving partition to create a diving area)
Sauna and jacuzzi
Offices for coaching staff

Location: Addition to south side of Merillat Sport & Fitness Center

Sports:
Intercollegiate men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams
Intercollegiate men’s and women’s water polo teams

Added benefit: Recreational space for community

Enrollment impact: 80 new students

Cost: $3.5 million of private, donor-based funding

Timeline: Based on funding

Ice Arena

The ice arena is viewed as the difference-maker for enrollment. It will allow Adrian to introduce programs that are completely distinctive. It is envisioned that the facility will be shared with the community, as it will be the only indoor ice arena in the county.

Location: Between Pellowe Hall and the new stadium (along the edge of the Merillat parking lot closest to US-223)

Sports:
Intercollegiate men’s hockey
Intercollegiate women’s hockey
Women’s synchronized skating
Men’s club hockey

Enrollment impact: 140 new students

Cost: $4.5 million of private, donor-based funding

Timeline: Ideally, break ground fall 2006, open fall 2007

Tennis Courts

The creative and unique early designs of AC’s new tennis complex are based on breaking up the playing surfaces into two-court units. Studies by national leaders in the tennis industry show that this helps reduce the impact of freeze-thaw damage.

Features:
Twelve courts split into six units, two courts per unit
Perimeter drainage (versus underneath, due to freeze-thaw)

Location: Athletic fields along US-223; north of current location, staggered

Enrollment impact: Powerful recruiting tool; stabilize retention

Cost: $1 million in private, donor-based funding

Timeline: Based on funding

Baseball Field

The new baseball field, home of the 2005 MIAA champs, will feature all amenities critical to the success of a baseball program in the 21st century.

Features:
Synthetic turf, infield and outfield
State-of-the-art underground drainage system
Pro-baseball caliber dugouts, bullpens and batting cages
400 seats, chair-back
Press box, rest rooms, possibly a concession stand
Wired now for lighting at a later date

Location: Contiguous with softball field (which is visible in background of rendering). Current baseball field is located off campus at Riverside Park.

Enrollment impact: Powerful recruiting tool; stabilize retention

Cost: $1 million of private, donor-based funding

Timeline: Based on funding

Softball Field

The softball facility will be significantly updated to bring it in line with top NCAA Div. III programs. When renovated, it will be a highlight for attracting talented students to Adrian.

Features:
Natural grass surface, maintained by an underground drainage and watering system
New fencing surrounding entire facility
New scoreboard
Pro-grade dugouts
Press box
Anticipate adding a full infield tarp

Location: Current location (athletic fields along US-223)

Enrollment impact: Powerful recruiting tool; stabilize retention

Cost: Private, donor-based funding; amount TBD

Timeline: Based on funding

Track

The track and field facility will be constructed simultaneously, and will be completely separate from the performance stadium. The all-weather, eight-lane facility will include all required amenities for post-season play, including a steeplechase pit and all jumping and throwing areas.

Location: Athletic fields along US-223

Enrollment impact: 50 new students

Cost: $1 million

Timeline: Break ground fall 2006, ready for competition spring 2007 season.

Other changes

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