Next University of Michigan sports upgrade: field hockey facility
A year ago University of Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon promised some $250 million in upgrades to non-revenue sports facilities, and some of those improvements already are in the pipeline.
A 2011 a field hockey game at Ocker Field in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines defeated the Nittany Lions 2 to 0.
Joseph Tobianski I AnnArbor.com
The new stadium area will have the capacity to seat 1,500 people and will include bathrooms and a concessions stand. Ocker Field, where the field hockey team plays, will get new turf, a new scoreboard and new lighting. The project will eliminate 10 parking spots and provide about 33 construction jobs.
The school's baseball and softball fields also will be getting new synthetic turf and improved dugout and field areas at a cost of $2.55 million. Those fields would be installed in spring 2014.
"The synthetic turf product provides a consistent playing field, better drainage and allows both teams to use the fields earlier when compared to natural turf," Brandon and U-M Chief Financial Officer Timothy Slottow said in a memo sent to the school's Board of Regents.
Regents are expected to approve the projects during a Thursday meeting at the Fairlane Center on the school's Dearborn campus.
In March, the board agreed to increase the budget of a new softball center to $5.3 million. The 10,500-square-foot building will replaced the existing center and include staff and team support space and fitness centers.
In May 2012, Brandon announced a plan to pour $250 million in non-revenue sports facilities over the next decade. Future projects include new lacrosse facilities, a $25 million rowing and strength and conditioning facility and a $90 million indoor and outdoor track facility.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
MMM
Wed, May 15, 2013 : 10:45 p.m.
What about the Rowing teams? Is that ever going to get done? Almost every team in the Big Ten has indoor tanks for winter training. Women's Rowing won the Big Ten championship and came in 2nd at NCAAs last year. The team needs better facilities if it wants to attract better recruits.
bluemax79
Tue, May 14, 2013 : 1:25 p.m.
13.5 million for field hockey? glad they have so much money to throw away to entice 15 or so women to come to M to play a sport nobody watches. meantime football and basketball tickets go up and up to pay for things nobody cares about.
TB
Tue, May 14, 2013 : 2:23 p.m.
That's not really their fault. With Title IX, UM could have a lawsuit on their hands eventually if they don't give their female athletes all the perks the male athletes get. With $25 million going to rowing and 90 million going to track, 13.5 million for field hockey sounds like a bargain. After the bridge construction and renovations to its neighboring Crisler, Yost, Cliff Keen, football indoor/practice facilities, the field hockey field as it stands is an eye sore.
a2girl
Tue, May 14, 2013 : 12:53 p.m.
I am thrilled about the proposed upgrades to the field hockey facility. Hopefully when our elderly friends and relatives come to watch the games they will no longer have to sit in the blazing sun on aluminum seats.
TB
Tue, May 14, 2013 : 1:42 p.m.
Michigan probably has the worst field hockey facilities of any school I've seen, and not even enough seats to fit everyone for a big game. MSU and PSU I think both have just aluminum bleachers but at least plenty of seating. Some schools have really nice fields with covered bleachers so fans get shade when it's sunny and cover when it's raining. My vote is for that. UM hasn't hosted the Big Ten Tournament since '06 and Ohio State (boooooooo) is about to host for the second time since then this year. That ought to be a wakeup call to get the facility up to par.
a2cents
Tue, May 14, 2013 : 12:55 p.m.
If they don't get clobbered x-ing state St.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, May 14, 2013 : 12:29 p.m.
If they weren't continuously spending the money in often frivolous ways, then they would be asked to give it back for the Core Educational Mission of the University. Or, people might start asking tough questions about Profit and Prices.
bluemax79
Tue, May 14, 2013 : 1:29 p.m.
the AD takes nothing from the core educational mission, they take no money and actually pay full price for tuition for scholarships when other universities give discounted tuition for athletes. how many students know about M worlwide because of the AD? now do I think they should be spending 13.5 million on field hockey? hell no, but do not act like it is the AD's mission to give even more cash to the U when they already take enough money from everyone.
a2cents
Tue, May 14, 2013 : 11:45 a.m.
It's time to lock the gates from BOTH sides all day, every day.
a2cents
Tue, May 14, 2013 : 11:41 a.m.
Thanks for the increased neighborhood intrusion, i.e. 10 more cars to pick up after. More PA blasting also I assume.
TheInfamousOne
Tue, May 14, 2013 : 1:18 p.m.
If you're going to complain, then why did you decided to buy a house there? I park around those neighborhoods because parking in that small parking lot next to the field is usually full. I don't leave any garbage for you to pick up. I get out of my car, walk to the game. It's not like any FH fans tailgate in those areas or in front of those homes.
A2comments
Tue, May 14, 2013 : 10:26 a.m.
Non-reveue? Non-revnue? Non-spellcheck?
Kellie Woodhouse
Tue, May 14, 2013 : 4:16 p.m.
Indeed. Thanks.