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Finnigan Fields construction moves slowly but surely
Kiran Bidari
Staff Reporter
On Dec. 8, 2003, Turner Construction broke ground on the Finnigan Fields complex and began their improvements to the athletic fields. The crew has been working in full force seven days a week on removal of existing structures and trees, site preparation, surveying, utility line work and earth-moving in an effort to ensure that the facilities are ready for use by the fall of 2005.
Some of these efforts are cost driven since it will save Turner some money if the new residence halls are built with doors and windows so they do not have to spend money on heaters and other equipment.
All of the pre-existing structures in the complex have been razed and the site should soon be ready for the construction of the new structures. The site will now contain a parking garage, Residence Halls 6 & 7, a baseball diamond, and a combination soccer and football field with a press box. The new locker rooms, team meeting, and training rooms will be located under the residence halls.
Attempts are being made to raise money for a field house with a new weight room comparable to that which will soon be implemented at Veale Center. This weight room would likely be open to use for the whole campus.
The throwing field and softball diamond will be located where the tennis courts currently are.
The new stadium, equipped with lights, will have a capacity for 2,400 people and seating on the east side of the field. The field surface will be made with a synthetic turf similar to that at Brush High School or John Carroll, while the track surface will be similar to that of the old track. The track will be a European track in order to allow space for a soccer field of regulation size. The baseball and softball diamonds will have an improved surface and better drainage.
Many of the Case sports teams will be affected while construction is taking place. Softball and baseball will have to play all of their games away this season and probably next season, which will double their traveling expenses. They will most likely practice at Cleveland State University or Gordon Park.
The track team normally has only one home meet, so their traveling won’t be significantly affected and they will likely practice at John Carroll University, Roxboro Elementary School, or Veale. Football will likely be at Brush High School while soccer is still negotiating venues. Home games for football and soccer will still be in the Greater Cleveland area.
These factors will greatly inconvenience varsity athletes who will have to spend additional time to leave campus for practice fans will have to make longer trips to games. Although the improvements to the fields will help Case’s sports teams in the future, the athletes will have to make significant sacrifices until the new fields are completed.
Some of the varsity athletes are concerned about the renovations. “The improvements may help the future of baseball and football at the expense of making it much harder for us in the next two years,” said junior Scott Greer, a baseball and football player.
“Although I am disappointed that we will not have a field this year and only having one field will lead to scheduling difficulties in the future, the improved facility will help Case’s athletics to gain recognition and respect,” said junior Megan Browdie, who plays soccer..
Dan Johnson, the varsity track captain, commented, “Concerning the team as a whole, the next couple of seasons will be harsh. With all the different events, it’s hard to come together as a team even with a track. Now that we’ll be split apart for practice everyday, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t even know where the runners are doing their thing. We’ll just have to go with the flow.”
Adam Rogers, varsity soccer captain, noted, “Having no field will greatly complicate our scheduling. I’m upset that I won’t have any real home games my senior year, but the field will help us continue to build a much better program in future years.”
So although many athletes are upset with the condition of sports facilities now, the future benefits may someday outweigh the current hassles for the athletic programs.
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