Sept. 11, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Plans have been finalized and approved for renovations to the Kentucky men’s and women’s soccer facility, the UK Soccer Complex, UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart and the UK Athletics Board of Trustees announced on Tuesday afternoon.
This project will renovate/expand the University’s soccer facilities, including renovation/expansion of the existing building to add locker, shower and lounge space for men’s and women’s soccer and the training and umpire rooms; new seating with the concourse enclosure; new team benches and support areas on the fields; a new press box; and a new connection bridge from softball. This project will also include some upgrades to plumbing, site storm water management and other needed infrastructure to enhance the overall functionality of the facility. The scope of this project is $7 million and will be funded with private funds from UK Athletics.
The University will submit this project for interim authorization to the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee at its September 18, 2012 meeting.
“What a tremendous commitment from the University of Kentucky and athletics director Mitch Barnhart to our soccer and softball programs,” UK men’s soccer head coach Johan Cedergren said. “Our athletics and university administration are committed to building a broad-based athletics program and the commitment to provide top-notch facilities is another great example. The new plans for renovations to the soccer complex will insure that our student-athletes and fans have some of the best facilities in the nation.”
“It means a lot to me and my staff that we have an athletic department and administration that is willing to support our sport the way they do,” UK head women’s coach Jon Lipsitz said. “The renovations and additions will help make our facility one of the best in the SEC and really show why the University of Kentucky is such a special place to come play. We are excited for the future of our program and are looking forward to making the UK Soccer Complex one of the premier places to play college soccer.”
Before the 2010 season, UK Sports Turf installed a state-of-the-art playing surface, creating one of the best game fields in collegiate soccer. Prior to the start of the 2011 season, a new video tower was erected at the soccer complex and before the 2012 season began, with construction on-going at the UK Softball Complex next door, a new grandstand and press facility was added alongside the current grandstand and press box. In addition, a sparkling new video board has been added to the complex.
On December 13, 2011, the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved UK Athletics’ initial scope proposal to renovate and upgrade the UK Softball Complex. Tuesday’s meeting increased that initial scope by approximately $2 million.
The facility blueprint calls for the softball facilities to be renovated, as well, including the locker room, shower, restroom and lounge facilities. The proposed project will include the following related renovations and upgrades: locker area for umpires, team equipment storage, additional seating along both lines and a new press box. More details on the softball complex construction will be released later this week.
