Although it’s been a relatively quiet summer in terms of news, it’s been an active summer for UK Athletics facilities. In an effort to strengthen and improve Kentucky’s athletic infrastructure, several of UK’s facilities are undergoing renovations or complete overhauls. The facility projects include Commonwealth Stadium, a new track facility and the UK Soccer Complex.I decided to drive around to each facility today to snap a few pictures of the process. For those of you that aren’t in Lexington, it should give you a better idea of the kind of activity going on this summer on UK’s campus.New track facility
The new UK track facility is expected to be completed by the spring 2012 season. Situated between Cliff Hagan Stadium and the old track facility, the new facility will include will include a practice area, team meeting and storage building, meet administration building, stadium seating, plaza and concourse, in addition to the track, pits and throwing lanes.
Commonwealth Stadium
Commonwealth Stadium has been re-sodded for the upcoming 2011 season. The field will continue to use Bermuda 419 grass.
The front facing of UK’s two scoreboards, located at the end of each end zone, are scheduled to be removed over the next month. Two new high definition Daktronics video boards, measuring 37 feet high by 80 feet wide, will be installed in their place. The project, which will also include LED ribbon boards and a new sound system, is expected be completed by the season opener on Sept. 10.
The UK Soccer Complex is getting a new playing surface for the 2011 season, which will continue to feature Bermuda grass. The field will have a new baseline irrigation system that will have motion sensors in the field, which will allow the Sports Turf department the ability to monitor soil moisture levels and reduce over-watering.
