Proposal to renovate Ralston Field athletic complex in final stages

After nine years of consideration, the proposal to renovate the current athletic complex at Ralston Field is in the final stages of approval.

The Board of Trustees will meet on March 26 to vote on the multi-phase proposal, which includes a synthetic surface, new stands, press boxes, new lights and comfort facilities.
“We’re trying to make it not only a more attractive, but a more functional facility,” said Addy Malatesta, athletic director. “We’re also trying to serve the needs of as many student athletes and people in the campus community as possible.”

Malatesta explained the renovations will come in a series of installments. “This is at least a three or four step plan,” said Malatesta. She explained phase one would be the construction of a multi-use synthetic surface that will replace the current football field.
The field would be home to football and women’s lacrosse on game days, but would also serve as a practice surface for men’s and women’s soccer, baseball and softball, and as a place for intramurals sports to be played.

“From a durability standpoint you can do many things [with a synthetic surface],” said head football coach, Frank Sheptock.

Due to space constraints at the current complex, Malatesta explained there is little room to expand, so the implementation of a multi-use synthetic surface is a major factor in the decision making process.

“This sort of opens up everything,” she said. “Once you have this you don’t have to worry about the field maintenance issues and tearing everything up; the next team just moves onto the field.”

In conjunction with the new surface, there are many other new features under consideration. First, the university would like to install a lighting system surrounding the field, making it a 24-hour facility. The current home stands are set to be demolished, re-built, and switch places with the visiting stands. From there a double sided press box would be built on the home side, overlooking both the football field and current soccer field, and a free standing press box would be built on the visiting side.

The sod covering the football field is set to be transplanted to the far practice field at the other end of the complex, replacing the current beat up surface. The university is also considering re-locating the concession stands and restrooms to the front of the complex, making it the first thing spectators see upon entering.

Sheptock said the completion of phase one would be a major improvement to the current complex. “I think it’s going to benefit all of the field teams,” said Sheptock. “I also think that it’s a great opportunity for intramurals.”

In order to cover the cost of the $3 million facility, Dr. Paul Adams, vice president of student affairs, said there is a placeholder in the 2010-2011 budget to begin the project. In conjunction, there have also been many fundraising efforts over the last year and a half through the Wilkes development staff and former Wilkes athletes.

“We think we have enough that will allow us to do the synthetic surface, to demolish the old home bleachers and to do a lot of the site work that is necessary,” said Adams.
“We would hope that we could somehow get lights on it, although it’s not a given,” added Malatesta.

If all goes according to plan, Adams said the university hopes to finish the complex in the next few years. “I’m hoping that three or four years from now we look at a completed project,” said Adams.

“It’s very exciting,” Adams continued. “I hope everybody understands that this isn’t just benefiting student athletes, but is also going to give us the ability to have this surface for intramurals… it really opens up the opportunities we have.”

contact gino troiani at
gino.troiani@wilkes.edu