The University of Rhode Island will unveil a track facility giving athletic teams the ability to host competitions for the first time since 1981.
The power tools and loud construction working away at the new facility will give way to a new addition to URI. The nine-lane track complex will give university athletics the ability to host a wide variety of competitions according to Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn.
The complex is a part of a larger ongoing athletic renovations initiative, estimated to total $82.3 million. It will feature 9 lanes that are each 48 inches wide, multiple jump runways, a separate facility for throws, a new scoreboard and new restrooms.
Construction on the project started in August, sparking possible buzz between the team of track coaches and athletes, according to Bjorn.
High school and special olympics meets will be events to come along with the upgrade of the facility, according to URI women’s track Coach Laurie Feit-Melnik, who started her legacy at URI in 1992. Current and future athletes will receive the full student athlete experience with a facility specific to their sports.
“This would not be happening if Dr. Parlange was not here,” Feit-Melnik said. “So appreciative, grateful. This is going to help the entire university, the community.”
Alongside the benefits for students who participate in the track, the community around the school also reels in the bonuses from this addition, according to Bjorn.
The track adds a huge financial impact to the university and state, bringing in 24 sports teams for men and women, according to Bjorn.
“When we start thinking about bringing in 12 teams, men and women, so basically 24 teams, to come and be part of the Rhode Island community for a weekend every couple years – that is a big driver for hotel rooms, restaurants, etc.” Bjorn said.
The athletes are in mind for this project but giving back to the community is a key factor in upgrading the campus.
To have the ability to host these meets outside expands the value of our campus athletics, according to men’s track Coach Trent Baltzell.
“We are certainly very excited to bring invitationals, high school championships, the Atlantic Ten Championship, hopeful in the very near future,” Baltzell said.
The facility will be specific to the track and field teams, which will help athletes on these teams receive appreciation for their work, according to Baltzell. There will be no more shared space for these teams.
“We have had to travel to local middle and high school tracks to do some outdoor specific events,” Balzell said.
This change is an end to inconvenience for those involved, according to Feit-Melnik.
The importance of building brand new offers current and future students a factor that draws them into the school, Bjorn said.
Bjorn and Balzell are excited that students can enhance their skills or find a new passion while being active in style in a facility built just for them.
