The University of Rhode Island has seen major changes happening to its athletic facilities over the last few months.
Renovations began in October 2025 with a complete overhaul of URI’s outdoor track and field facility. Three months later, in January, renovations began at Meade Stadium.
Now, almost a month into the 2026 academic year, Meade Stadium is still under construction, but the outdoor track and field facility is complete and ready for use, as excitement is rising within the track and field program.
“A huge change for our program,” Rhode Island men’s track and field head coach Trent Baltzell said. “Obviously a hugely positive change for us.”
Baltzell, appreciative of the support the program has received to undergo these major renovations, feels this major change makes the hard work worth it.
These updates include a larger throwing area and a brand-new nine-lane, Olympic-sized track. This outdoor facility will serve as a major selling point for recruits to the program.
“This is like the best facility in the entirety of New England,” said Baltzell.
This top-of-the-line facility will also save travel money, as the URI track and field teams will now host their own events. While the team will not make revenue off of these events, hosting the events will limit travel time, expenses and allow for more community events, including running a mile with President Marc Parlange, which is currently in the making.
URI’s football team is playing their games in Pawtucket at Centreville Bank Stadium while Meade Stadium is still under construction.
“Centreville Bank Stadium has been great for our football team, but we have to get them back on campus,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Pat Lyons.
Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Operations Officer Brittney Miles and Lyons have both made it clear that Meade Stadium is their priority. No changes have been made to the renovations thus far, and Lyons expects minimal surprises to postpone the project from being completed on time.
While there is still so much going on with the renovations to Meade Stadium, Lyons and Miles are looking ahead. There are already plans in place for future projects and updates to other athletic facilities around campus, according to Lyons.
“There’s an overall capital master plan for our facilities, and we’re just going to continue on that road,” said Lyons. “Our next priorities are softball, baseball and soccer, in trying to transform those facilities.”
The changes to the softball and baseball facilities will include new dugouts, press boxes and stands. Soccer will get new press boxes and stands. The playing surfaces of the three facilities are still in good condition, with neither Miles nor Lyons seeing a reason to update them.
While money still needs to be raised through donors for these additional projects to begin, URI students, athletes and supporters alike are all watching in anticipation as Meade Stadium approaches its new form, while the track and field team awaits the spring to put their brand-new facilities to use for the first time.
