Marshall OK’s new indoor facility
Published 11:48 pm Saturday, April 30, 2011
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Marshall University’s Board of Governors has approved more than $30 million for athletics facilities.
The plan approved Thursday includes an indoor practice facility with a running track, an academic center, a sports medicine research center and a soccer stadium complex.
The project will be financed by bonds and private gifts.
“This is a historic day for Marshall University Athletics,” Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick said. “We are excited about each of these new facilities and are looking forward to having them in place in the near future. This project will have an enormous impact on every one of our athletics teams and every student-athlete. This is only the first step in addressing our overall facility needs.”
Under the project’s first phase, $5.4 million will be used to demolish the Veterans Memorial Field House and build a soccer stadium complex and a veteran’s memorial park on the site. A local parks and recreation board donated the land to Marshall.
The $14 million indoor facility will be constructed next to Joan C. Edwards Stadium. It will also have an artificial playing surface and an athletics hall of fame.
Construction is expected to begin next February.
The Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District Board voted unanimously to turn the land over to Marshall Athletics on Wednesday night at no cost. The Field House had fallen into disrepair and was becoming a financial burden on the parks department.