Contractors begin preliminary groundwork of the upgraded track and field stadium.
SUNY Fredonia’s long dormant track and field stadium is bustling with contractors laying the groundwork for a greatly anticipated upgrade.
Crews from general contractor Lake Shore Paving of Jamestown, NY, began the second phase of the almost $12 million project in early March with removal of the existing running track, as well as the grass field and top soil in the infield within the oval track that’s parallel to the Ring Road parking lot, near Lake Way Drive.
The first phase of a comprehensive athletic complex upgrade, replacement of the synthetic turf of the adjacent University Stadium field, was completed last September. The existing synthetic turf there was in extremely poor condition and nearing the end of its lifespan, according to Director of Facilities Planning Markus Kessler.
Testing performed in 2021 indicated that g-max levels on the field were elevated, even after intense grooming. The g-max test measures the maximum acceleration experienced during an impact, indicating the surface’s ability to absorb force during an athlete’s fall, Mr. Kessler explained.
“In addition, the fibers were deteriorated to the point where no additional infill could be placed within the fiber matrix to improve g-max levels and the sub-base had also deteriorated, so the field needed to be replaced,” Kessler said.
Today’s synthetic turf fields are far more advanced, made with technology that utilizes polymer fibers that are more resistant to wear, while the use of heavyweight infill contributes to the durability and playability of the turf surface.
Major components of the track and field project include an eight-lane all-weather running track, jumping and throwing venues, synthetic turf field, aluminum bleacher seating to accommodate 500 spectators, a press box and stadium lighting, as well as updated and expanded restrooms and a new larger storage facility.
The infield of the overhauled track and field stadium will be striped for soccer, men’s lacrosse and women’s lacrosse.
The full site has to be graded to accommodate installation of underground conduit that includes utility lines as well as a drainage network to collect and disperse rain water from the synthetic turf and field event areas. New sidewalks, landscaping and fencing will be placed around the entire complex.
Restroom facilities will be renovated and updated, so the number of fixtures will be aligned with bleacher seating capacity and as well as numbers of athletes.
An upgraded track and field stadium will represent a milestone for the campus and is expected to draw more attention to athletic programs, as well as the university as a whole.
The stadium that will serve one of the largest athletic programs on campus represents an upgrade of an aging track and field facility that was part of the university’s 1970s master development plan. It had no stadium lighting, and the scoreboard was designed for soccer and not for posting individual track meet results. There haven’t been any bleachers there for at least 20 years.
With the upgraded track and field stadium, SUNY Fredonia can boast to having two new synthetic athletic turf fields, along with a grass playing surface in University Stadium. An all-weather track and field facility will enable the university to host three athletic events simultaneously, while also offering greater flexibility to schedule team practices.
A new transformer to service both the entire track and field complex, as well as the nearby University Townhouses, will also be installed. Stadium lighting, originally submitted an alternate add bid item, was able to be included in the final project after the SUNY Construction Fund agreed to cover its cost. Stadium lighting was originally planned to be funded through a Facilities Planning capital project account.
The construction budget for both phases of the $11.8 million project actually came in about $1 million under budget. That includes $1.3 million for design work by phZ Architects of Camillus, NY, and a subconsultant, Appel Osborne Landscape Architecture of Buffalo, NY, a firm that specializes in track and field work in athletic complexes.
