Complex nears completion

By Ashley Acosta
Cardinal Staff

With the completion of the new $2.8 million track and soccer complex set for mid-October, school officials hope to enhance not only the beauty of the campus but also the atmosphere.
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Plans for the facility were set in motion when recent efforts to start a football program on campus failed. Administration officials turned to their next option to help the school be competitive with other educational institutions. “The university realized that we needed to (better support) the teams that we already have,” said Vice President for Student Development Chris Kendall.

The multi-million dollar venue is in the latter stages of phase one, which includes laying the foundational elements of the track and soccer fields. Phase two will consist of building bleachers, concession stands, restrooms, and storage space.

Kendall laid to rest speculations that the university increased tuition to help pay for the state-of-the-art training complex. He said long-range planning helped secure funding. “The increase in tuition has nothing to do with the construction of this complex. All the money is raised internally through several different budget committees, plant funds, fundraisers as well as donors,” he said. Officials are hoping an active, visually appealing campus will aid in increasing enrollment and revenue.

“Students want the whole package,” said Athletic Director Nikki Fennern. “This complex will help attract people to the SMU campus, and I am thankful the university recognized our needs and decided to help put SMU on the map.”

In addition to economic benefits, there has been an increase in morale among students and alumni.

“The response (to the complex) has been great; people tell me that Saint Mary’s is finally starting to look like an actual college campus. School pride is being boosted and Saint Mary’s is on the move,” Kendall said.

Home soccer games have already been played on the field, and many other athletic events are in the works, including talk of hosting the 2010 Track and Field Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) meet. Athletes are not the only ones expected to put the facility to use. It will be available for recreational activities such as intramurals, physical education classes and public use.