Work starts on stadium upgrade
Construction is underway for new athletic facilities on campus. Crews have started tearing up the Stewart “Red” Faught Stadium field to install a new artificial playing surface and lights.
“The renovations that we are embarked on now all have to do with serving our own students,” Athletic Director Kerry Prather said.
The field will also be widened so the soccer teams can compete on the new surface as well. Crews have roped off the stadium and the surrounding areas which include the parking lot just east of the tennis courts.
Other scheduled renovations include a new track, new tennis courts and improvements to the baseball/softball facilities. These renovations will help improve practices for each of the sports teams. It will also allow for space for the college’s summer camps.
The facilities will allow opportunities for teams to host sporting events rather than traveling off campus and will be better suited for practices.
“The new renovations will be a blessing for our softball program,” sophomore Ashley Burton said. “It will be the first time in school history the team will have their own field. We will gain dug outs, a press box and bull pens along with the field. As a whole, our team is overly excited and cannot wait to see the new changes next fall.”
The sports teams will be able to get out and practice when the weather is cooperating.
The track facilities could also be used for students who want to walk or run outside.
“Being able to have a ‘home meet’ will mean more to Franklin College’s track and field team because we’ve never experienced it before so it will make the future athletes even more pumped and dedicated,” senior Kristi Brown said. “Furthermore, it will bring in more talent by just having a facility and the numbers will grow.”
“I think we are going to find a lot of uses for that renovation project,” Prather said.
