Update on Recreational Fields

Bluefield College made significant progress on a recreational fields project last year, but BC students are learning now they will have to wait to take advantage of the new recreational space.

Originally scheduled to be partially open for use this fall, the recreational fields have been delayed, according to BC leaders, because other projects have had to take precedence. Projects of this scope, they said, take considerable capital, equipment, engineering work, and other resources to complete.

“We are currently working with a contractor to assess a construction timeline to complete the full project,” said BC athletics director Tonia Walker. “However, we hope in the next few years to come this will be a completed project that will not only benefit athletics, but the whole student body.” 

The idea for the recreational fields developed more than a decade ago when Dr. David Olive took over the role as president of the school. Dr. Olive and the BC Board of Trustees completed a facilities masterplan with a vision for how the campus would look in 2028, which included the recreational fields.

Located across College Avenue from the main campus and adjacent to the Advancement and Alumni House, the fields will provide outdoor recreational space for all students, but also a training ground for some of the school’s athletic teams, including women’s softball, men’s baseball, men’s and women’s soccer, and a future lacrosse team.

The first phase of development began in December 2018 and included the completion of excavation work on an upper field, which is going to be a rectangular multi-purpose field.

This winter excavation work will begin on the lower field. In the future, plans are to lay two rectangular multi-purpose fields and one turfed competition softball field. Walker said that both the multi-purpose fields and the softball field are going to be turf, which is preferred because of the high usage by the students and the area the fields will be on. 

“I think that would be an extraordinary benefit for the school’s athletic teams,” said soccer player Gustavo De Oliveira. “I think that it will help the school’s goal of becoming a top school in our conference, and it will also become easier for our coaches to recruit when we can present a good field close to the school.”  

Josh Cline, vice president for advancement, said that funds for the recreational fields project have come exclusively from donors and institutional resources and not from student fees. Both Cline and Walker said they also want students to be clear that the new facilities will be available for use by the whole student body and not just athletes. When not in use by BC students, they added, the fields will be used by the community.  

The fields are being developed on 11 acres of land donated to the college by the late Katharine B. Tierney, a former Bluefield College trustee. The property has laid dormant since the college took possession nearly 30 years ago.

Students who have questions about the project may contact Cline or Walker by email at jcline@bluefield.edu or twalker@bluefield.edu.