Coe ramping up its athletics facilities

CEDAR RAPIDS – You've got to keep up with the Joneses. Or the Wartburgs, the Dubuques and the rest of the Iowa Conference here.

Coe College announced details Monday of a $900,000 project that will resurface the track and make other improvements to Clark Field. It is part of a planned multi-million renovation and expansion of the school's athletics facilities.

'Our track has been in disrepair for awhile,” Coe Athletics Director John Chandler said. 'We are not able to hold meets. We need a replacement, and we felt this was a good time to do it.”

Chandler said the new track will be produced by Beynon Sports Surfaces, a '13-millimeter full pour polyurethane surface that allows athletes to perform at their highest levels while in training or competition.” The project also includes a new long jump-triple jump runway, new high jump and pole vault areas and a new throwing area

Coe also will add two sections of bleachers that will create an additional 500 seats to Clark Field, built in 1989 and home of the school's track and field, soccer and football programs. A concrete walkway will be constructed to connect the two sides of the field.

Fence will enclose the entire stadium.

'This will provide more of a stadium feel, which is important,” Chandler said.

The school previously added FieldTurf in 2007 and lights last year to help with practice and game schedules. The current project is underway and expected to be completed by the first or second week of August.

Chandler said Coe also wants to renovate and expand Eby Fieldhouse, the school's gymnasium, which was built in 1929. Exact plans have not been cemented, though Hastings+Chivetta architecture firm in St. Louis said on its website that it has been commissioned to undertake the project.

The fieldhouse addition is expected to house a new wrestling room, batting cages, locker rooms and office space. Hastings+Chievetta said the school's fitnesss center will be expanded and 'all equipment, interior elements and infrastructures” of Eby Fieldhouse replaced.

Chandler said private fundraising for the projects has gone well.

'We will have a public (fundraising) kickoff campaign in the fall during our homecoming,” he said.

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com