EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com ) – Following Friday's approval by the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents, UW-Eau Claire will proceed with completion of design and construction of enhancements at Simpson Field on the university's upper campus. Construction will take place this summer.
The enhancements to Simpson Field will replace the natural turf, crowned football field with artificial turf; improve track and field areas; and expand access to the facility for the university's women's soccer team, intramural and club field sport teams, and Blugold Marching Band.
The project will make it possible for UW-Eau Claire's nationally recognized men's and women's track and field programs to again host meets, which they have not been able to do for 18 years due to deficits in the Simpson Field facility. It also will ensure that Blugold football is no longer the only WIAC program without an artificial turf practice field, improve safety on the field for student-athletes, and save $60,000 a year in field maintenance costs.
The $2 million gift-funded project is considered the first phase of a more comprehensive improvement plan that will be contingent upon additional fundraising. Enhancements to be added this summer will include:
- Removing the field's crown and replacing the existing natural grass with synthetic turf.
- Installation of infrastructure for a scoreboard and timing systems for track and field meets, as well as for lighting.
- Construction of field event spaces, including hammer toss and discus throwing areas with cages, a shot put pad and a javelin runway.
- Addition of infrastructure for a future small bleacher and press box area.
