Memorial Field Improvements

State College Area School District

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CLIENT GOALS

Memorial Field needed significant improvements to address capital maintenance, enhance the fan experience, and support the needs of the District's student-athletes on game day.

Constructed in 1933 as a Work Progress Administration project, the neighborhood ‘hollow’ provided for a natural stadium setting adjacent the District's original high school building now being utilized as the District’s Administration Building. The District utilizes this 2,500-seat outdoor multipurpose athletic facility to support the District’s football, soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse programs. State College Area School District competes at the highest Pennsylvania scholastic classification (6A) with approximately 6,800 students.

SOLUTIONS

WMF worked with the District to determine the feasibility of phased seating configurations, adaptive reuse of the Administration Building, secure internal connections, and increase overall capacity to 4,000 people. Attention was focused on the potential of these improvements to enhance the Friday night experience, promote attendance and encourage community engagement within the urban setting.

RESULTS

The project features a plaza for spectators to enjoy the game away from their seats. Overall improvements focus on community identity, venue performance and and fan experience. New amenities include:

• Locker rooms
• Restrooms for spectators
• Replacement/reconfiguration of bleachers
• Improved site circulation and security
• Equipment storage for athletics and field maintenance

Within our organization many constituents have been involved in this process including but not limited to the elected Board, athletic director, sports team coaches, marching band, trainers, finance officer, facilities team, citizen advisors, and general public. I have been impressed with every member of the design team and their unique ability to work with our various and diverse stakeholders. Another strength of WMF has been their ability to combine new construction with existing conditions and historic elements. This project seems to have unlimited constraints, yet the team at WMF has somehow worked through each challenge to deliver an outstanding final design.

Ed Poprik
Director of Physical Plant

State College Area School District