VIDEO
Centre athletic complex work continues on schedule
Published 1:00 pm Sunday, February 13, 2022
Despite challenging winter weather, progress on the many projects associated with the Initiative for Wellness and Athletic Excellence at Centre College are moving along at a brisk pace, with several aspects of this significant undertaking becoming more and more visible by the day and week.
President Milton C. Moreland, who announced the $50 million initiative on April 12, 2021, recently provided a project update.
“This transformative project in the life of the College is beginning to take shape,” he said, “and excitement is continuing to grow for the meaningful impact this will have for our students and the entire campus community, along with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and our region.” Moreland added, “we continue to be grateful for the generosity of our donors who are helping make this dream a reality.”
Demolition of Farris Stadium – home to Colonels’ football, men’s and women’s lacrosse, and track – and the former Gary Wright Field for baseball has been completed, making way for the expanded multipurpose stadium and 135,000-square-foot complex that will include the fieldhouse and aquatics center. To support the project’s many sustainable components, digging has also begun for the 200-plus geothermal wells that will tap into this renewable energy resource.
Work on the new baseball complex, which will be known as Fishman Park and feature an enhanced and expanded Gary Wright Field, has seen the most progress, and project partner HGC Construction is completing the turf drainage system and the stone subbase for the baseball field. Concrete has also recently been poured for the dugouts, press box, and grandstands, and lighting has been completed. Baseball turf arrives next week, so even more progress will be evident.
Work is also moving along on the indoor baseball facility, with the drywall and interior finishing phase nearly complete.
Completion of Fishman Park and the Gary Wright Field is planned for the spring, in time for the throwing of the first pitch at the Centre Colonels season opener on March 12, to which the public is invited.
