Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

On Track: Athletic Field Improvements for MSU

  • 10/01/14
Athletic Field Improvements

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

Missouri State University (MSU) in Springfield, home of the Bears, is launching its 2014-2015 academic year with the debut of several new athletic and recreation facilities in the school’s largest athletics and recreational improvement project to date. It includes a new track and three synthetic turf fields, all installed by St. Louis-based Byrne & Jones Sports. The work is part of $24 million in new construction and improvements to the campus.

“Wet weather challenged the project in the spring and early summer, but Byrne & Jones was able to ramp up manpower quickly and optimize its productivity to take full advantage of dryer weather and deliver the project on time,” says Kyle Moats, MSU director of athletics. “The entire building team pulled together to ensure the students’ commitment to fund the project was rewarded with outstanding athletic facilities.”

MSU students approved of a fee of $50 per semester to help pay for the improvements. The fee will generate approximately $1.6 million annually. The university also gained financial support from Betty and Bobby Allison, for whom two new stadiums are named.

Athletic Field Improvements

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

The improvements included relocating the school’s track and building a new artificial turf football field closer to the west bleachers to improve the fan experience. A new NCAAregulation, eight-lane track was also built as part of the new synthetic turf soccer field. The new track incudes steeplechase, long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault and a warm-up running area. Meanwhile, Byrne& Jones installed a shock pad to improve safety, play and the durability for a new field hockey
surface installed by SportsTurf.

To create a stable sub-base that sheds water efficiently, 15,000 tons of rock were imported and delivered in 750 truckloads for the three fields. “We essentially created a huge French drain that directed water flow efficiently into the storm water system,” said Ben Traetow, project manager, Byrne & Jones Sports.

Overall improvements included renovations to MSU’s Plaster Sports Complex to provide better seating and new concessions, restrooms, ticket windows and team facilities. Other improvements were made to the soccer stadium and recreational amenities on campus. Hastings + Chivetta Architects, Inc. was the architect for the improvements. Springfield-based general contractor DeWitt and Associates, Inc. managed the overall improvements.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • California District Debuts New High-School CTE Center

    The West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD) in Sebastopol, Calif., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new CTE Center at Analy High School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) for the facility’s design and GCCI for its construction, and funding came from local Measure A bond funds.

  • Wenger Names New Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts, Controls

    Wenger Corporation, which provides products and solutions for music and theater education, performing arts and athletic storage, recently announced the hiring of a new Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts and Controls.

  • California District Opens New Robotics Center

    The Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) in Cupertino, Calif., recently held a Grand Opening ceremony for a new, district-wide Robotics Center, according to a news release. The 14,500-square-foot facility was designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA); Landmark Constructors served as the builder and Blach Construction as general construction manager.

  • Texas A&M Opens First Building at Fort Worth Campus, Breaks Ground on Research Facility

    The Texas A&M University System marked a major milestone in the development of its Fort Worth campus by opening its first completed academic building and breaking ground on a second facility designed to expand research and industry collaboration.