A year ago University of Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon promised some $250 million in upgrades to non-revenue sports facilities, and some of those improvements already are in the pipeline.
A 2011 a field hockey game at Ocker Field in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines defeated the Nittany Lions 2 to 0.
Joseph Tobianski I AnnArbor.com
The new stadium area will have the capacity to seat 1,500 people and will include bathrooms and a concessions stand. Ocker Field, where the field hockey team plays, will get new turf, a new scoreboard and new lighting. The project will eliminate 10 parking spots and provide about 33 construction jobs.
The school's baseball and softball fields also will be getting new synthetic turf and improved dugout and field areas at a cost of $2.55 million. Those fields would be installed in spring 2014.
"The synthetic turf product provides a consistent playing field, better drainage and allows both teams to use the fields earlier when compared to natural turf," Brandon and U-M Chief Financial Officer Timothy Slottow said in a memo sent to the school's Board of Regents.
Regents are expected to approve the projects during a Thursday meeting at the Fairlane Center on the school's Dearborn campus.
In March, the board agreed to increase the budget of a new softball center to $5.3 million. The 10,500-square-foot building will replaced the existing center and include staff and team support space and fitness centers.
In May 2012, Brandon announced a plan to pour $250 million in non-revenue sports facilities over the next decade. Future projects include new lacrosse facilities, a $25 million rowing and strength and conditioning facility and a $90 million indoor and outdoor track facility.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.