Wednesday, July 10, 2013

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Construction of the multipurpose field on the south side of Western Washington University's campus is in full swing, with workers doing major ground-clearing of the area.

The project includes construction of an all-weather artificial turf field, bleachers, restroom facilities, field lighting, electrical service, utilities and associated facilities.

The project is possible in part because of a $1 million gift from Western Washington University alumnus Scott Harrington and his family.

The project will create a fully lighted and fenced artificial turf play field that is sized for regulation soccer and will serve as the new home of Western's NCAA Division II men's and women's soccer teams.

It also will be an important resource for Western recreation programs and intramurals by serving the growing needs of the intramural and sport club system, such as flag football, rugby, lacrosse and ultimate Frisbee, said Marie Sather, director of Campus Recreation at Western, in a 2012 press release announcing the project.

The two Fairhaven fields on south campus near the tennis courts and softball field are being graded to one level, large, dividable turf field. The full project will include a scoreboard, team benches and scorer's tables, storage, spectator seating, restrooms and team facilities/locker rooms. In addition, the field will include an extension to enable concurrent and multi-recreational uses such as lacrosse and rugby.

The field will be formally known as Robert S. Harrington Field, in honor of Scott's father, the late Robert Harrington, in recognition of the family's gift.

South College Drive remains closed to vehicular and bicycle traffic from the Fairhaven parking lot entrances south to the Bill McDonald Parkway intersection through Sept. 6.

Pedestrian routes are in place on the east side of South College Drive. Pedestrian access to the university tennis courts and softball field complex remains open through the flag plaza on the west side of South College Drive. Bicyclists need to use Bill McDonald Parkway or the service road east of Buchanan Towers and Fairhaven as alternate routes.

Final completion of the field is scheduled for spring 2014.