KALAMAZOO, Mich.- With an extreme appreciation for the generosity of an anonymous donor, Western Michigan University and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics are pleased to provide detailed highlights of renovations scheduled to be made to the WMU Soccer Complex this fall (2014).
A $250,000 gift recently set the wheels in motion for several significant upgrades, including the construction of a press box, additional seating, new entrance way, fencing, expansion of paved walkway, as well as other cosmetic touches. It is the largest single gift ever made to the Bronco soccer programs. The upgrades will greatly enhance the WMU Soccer Complex and provide benefit to all who use the facility.
“We can not begin to express how truly thankful we are to this generous donor, and the various University and community partners who have worked along side us to develop these upgrades from concept to reality,” said WMU Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard.
“This gift to our men's and women's soccer programs will have a lasting impact on our University and is an example of the dedication our donors have in seeing that current and future Bronco student-athletes have the best opportunities available. This new component will enhance the other major renovations that have taken place at the WMU Soccer Complex over the last few years, and we are excited about what this means for our student-athletes, our fans and the supporting community.”
“This whole project really started 16 months ago when Vice President Jan Van Der Kley and our Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard came together and made our complex a permanent complex and invested many resources to improve the facility,” said head men's soccer coach Chad Wiseman. “I can't thank them enough for really stepping up and supporting our soccer programs.
“This latest gift is really unbelievable. It speaks volumes about how engaged our Bronco Soccer fans are. The student-athletes are the ones who really benefit, they will be playing in a gorgeous facility moving forward. A facility that our University, student-athletes, community and alumni will all be very proud to call home. These improvements will also allow us to continue to host bigger schools, schools that in the past haven't been willing to play us at home because of our facility. Kalamazoo is a great soccer community, we have two great programs here at WMU. The future of Bronco Soccer is so bright, I am proud to be part of it.”
“On behalf of the women's soccer program past, present and future, we would like to say thank you and express our deepest gratitude to this donor,” stated head women's soccer coach Nate Norman. “This gift will continue to elevate the soccer programs here at Western Michigan, as we strive to be a perennial power in the Mid-American Conference and Midwest. Our student-athletes are the ones who most greatly benefit from this and will be proud to defend our home facility each time they take the field.”
PROJECT DETAILS:
A warm welcome to the WMU Soccer Complex - New Entrance Way
• The addition of brick column pillars and overhead black wrought iron arch (for facility name plate) at entrance point designed to mirror brickwork of other campus/facility entrance points.
• The addition of decorative black aluminum fencing to enhance appearance and provide a quality, finished look.
• The addition of stamped, colored concrete circles that extend to the parking area to create a welcoming “bridge effect” to the new entrance area.
• Creation of additional green space for small group gatherings, tailgates and special events.
• Ornamental landscaping to provide a quality, finished look.
• Enhancement of the complex foot traffic patterns by paving the entire walkway from the new entry to the seating area of the venue, which also updates facility to ADA standards.
Enhancing Game Operations - Press Box
• The addition 10' x 24' Press Box needed to enhance game operations and game experience for our student-athletes. Brick façade on the Press Box is designed to match the new front entrance.
Press Box Upgrades scheduled to include:
-- New sound system components
-- New hardwire connections required for web live streaming ability over the Internet, showcasing our student-athletes.
-- New camera platform that provides an enhanced filming location for better live stream viewing as well as improved coaches' video quality
Enhancing Fan Experience - Seating Expansion
• The addition of ADA Accessible seating at the front of the seating area. Seating is being reconfigured to allow for “insets” that accommodate wheelchair and companion access.
• The addition of new rows of seating at the top of the bleacher section. These new rows create “seating wings” on either side of the new press box and increase seating capacity.
• The replacement/addition of bleacher fencing to black vinyl clad finish to provide a quality finish and best match press box camera tower and black fencing at front entry.
