Athletics Project Underway at Clarke University
Clarke University Athletic Director Curt Long announced that construction is underway on a $4 million dollar project for athletic facilities on Clarke’s campus. The project includes turfing the existing soccer and lacrosse field, creating a turfed practice field adjacent to the main field, adding a weight room, fitness area, and locker rooms on the ground floor of the Robert and Ruth Kehl Center, and building storage areas and a press box for the soccer and lacrosse field. The project has an August 1, 2018 completion date.
“I am thrilled about the addition of the new artificial turf fields and Kehl Center project,” said Long. “These upgrades will be great additions to the existing Clarke athletic facilities. They will benefit our student athletes and the entire university community.”
The game field will be marked for soccer, lacrosse, and football and will have football goal posts. The game field will measure 70 yards wide by 120 yards long with a 15-foot run off turf area surrounding the field. The practice field is 70 yards by 60 yards. Both fields will have LED lighting and will be enclosed by fencing with netting in some areas. The hillside overlooking the existing soccer and lacrosse field will be terraced to provide seating areas for spectators. Football games will be played at Dalzell Field at Dubuque Senior High School.
The locker rooms on the ground floor of the Kehl Center will serve the soccer and lacrosse teams and the football team.
“I want to express my gratitude to the leadership at Clarke University for their efforts to advance the university through the development of these athletic facilities,” said Long. “I also want to express my thanks to the many individuals who have provided financial support of this project.”
The fields are designed by Straka-Johnson Architects and Conlon Construction is the general contractor. FEH Associates is the project architect for the locker rooms and weight room, with Sheets Design Build as the general contractor.
“This is a significant and worthwhile project for the athletic program at Clarke University,” added Long. “Our fields undergo extensive use with soccer and lacrosse practices and games. Add football practices to the mix and our grass field is no longer a viable option. The artificial turf fields will be available rain or shine, and the surface will be safer for practices and competitions for our student-athletes.”
Site preparation began on February 15. Clarke’s men’s and women’s lacrosse teams have played their home games this spring at Loras College and at the University of Dubuque.
Clarke University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Clarke offers 21 intercollegiate sports.
For more information, contact the Clarke University Athletic Department at (563) 588-8186 or visit clarkepride.com