New England College Readies for Groundbreaking
President Michele Perkins announces the official groundbreaking ceremony for the College’s new artificial turf field. The ceremony, scheduled for Friday, November 13 at 3:00 p.m., will include current and former trustees of the College, alumni, students, faculty, and staff.
According to President Perkins, the construction of the turf field signifies the first major building project the College has undertaken since the completion of the Center for Educational Innovation in 2001. “This project is significant in many ways, It is an investment in the students of this College, in the varsity and recreational sports that are integral to their learning experience here. This turf field will become the cornerstone of the College’s athletic program as we bring additional projects on line and improve existing facilities.” President Perkins went on to explain, “A building project of this type is an outward demonstration of the financial strength and viability of the College. Given the fact that the cost of the turf field was secured entirely through fundraising, this project is a testament to the College’s ability to engage committed donors.”
The total cost of the turf field is projected at $1.5 million dollars. Through corporate commitment and an anonymous challenge grant, more than $1.2 million dollars have been raised so far. With the successful fundraising campaign nearly complete, the College began site preparation in mid-October and estimates that the new field will be ready to use in the spring of 2010. Included in the scope of the project will be a scoreboard and a state-of-the-art lighting system that conforms to environmentally sound practice and emits extremely low light pollution.
Demand for the artificial turf field will be high, acknowledged President Perkins. “Not only will this space be used by our men’s and women’s lacrosse and soccer teams and our field hockey team, but there will be opportunities for classes, club sports, recreational sports, individual users, and community groups to take advantage of this outstanding facility.”
President Perkins elaborated further on the significance of the project by saying, “The construction of an artificial turf field will allow the College to host NCAA tournament games. New England College is a member of The Commonwealth Coast Conference. Of the fourteen schools in the Conference, nine already have or are constructing turf fields. A turf field at NEC will add more consistency to Conference competition.”
