Feb. 17, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State University's Board of Trustees has approved the replacement of the Hancock Stadium artificial turf and scoreboards and message centers at Redbird Arena, Hancock Stadium and on Main Street. The two projects are estimated to cost $2.75 million. In addition, the Board of Trustees also approved issuing Auxiliary Facilities System Revenue Bonds, Series 2006 for multiple campus projects, including the construction of new tennis courts.
The Hancock Stadium artificial turf was installed in 2002, but the manufacturers are now out of business, resulting in the loss of warranty on the turf. Without the warranty support, the turf has had continuing performance problems. Hancock Stadium serves as a resource for Redbird football, Campus Recreation Services, the School of Kinesiology and Recreation, local high schools, music camps and Special Olympics.
The project, estimated to cost $1.5 million, will remove the existing playing surface and padding, as well as the underlying asphalt base and concrete apron surrounding the field. Surface drainage will be improved with the installation of a new underground drainage system and re-grading of the entire area. Construction should begin in the spring of 2007 and should be completed prior to the 2007 football season. By the time the project is complete, the turf will have served for five of the anticipated eight years.
The scoreboards and message centers at Redbird Arena and Hancock Stadium, all are at least 10 years old, are becoming obsolete and no longer function reliably. The project will replace the scoreboard over the main court of the Arena along with the message centers placed in the upper level seating, and the scoreboards at the north and south ends of Hancock. The Main Street message center will be replaced and enlarged. All boards will be controlled from a central location. The project should begin this fall and be completed in the spring of 2007 at a cost of $1.25 million.
The McCormick Tennis Court Complex, located on the east side of University Street, will be moved to Gregory Street. The courts are used for student instruction, recreation, practice and competition, and the subsurface damage would necessitate complete replacement of the courts. Relocating the courts to the recreation and athletic space on Gregory Street will mean new court accessories, lighting, fencing and a storage/support facility to be completed by the spring of 2007.
