Frequently Asked Questions - June 4, 2010
Memorial Field
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Memorial Field is a 4,000 seat outdoor competition venue that hosts the State College Area School District’s athletic programs including football, soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse. Located at the intersection of West Nittany Avenue and Fraser Street, it was constructed during the Great Depression as a Work Progress Administration project and is situated on 3.493 acres in the heart of the Borough of State College and the Holmes-Foster Highlands Historical District. It is located next to the Fairmount Avenue Building and the District Administration building. At the time of the field’s construction, these buildings were in use as the high school and the Nittany Avenue Elementary School. The Borough of State College’s Central Parklet borders the field to the northwest.
Over the years the field has undergone numerous improvements, repairs and renovations, including a new turf playing surface, new lighting system, and repairs to the home side bleachers. During the most recent District Wide Facilities Master Plan in 2009, it was established that Memorial Field remain as a viable district athletics site. The District has demonstrated a commitment to maintaining the venue as a community historical landmark, recognizing the importance of its original purpose, a playing venue that also recognized fallen graduates in the war.
Q. Why are we making further repairs to Memorial Field?
The Board is committed to making the necessary investments to keep the field safe and playable for our student-athletes, fans and community members.
Q. What are the district’s plans for Memorial Field?
The Board retained the services of the Palumbo-Skibinski Crawford architectural firm to oversee the comprehensive plan for Memorial Field. There will be community dialogues to gather more feedback from district employees, students, parents, and the community in order to help shape the vision for the future use of Memorial Field.
Q. When will the renovations occur?
There is no set schedule at this time, as the comprehensive plan is determined, a renovation and funding schedule will be developed appropriately.
Q. How much will it cost?
Once the comprehensive plan is established, actual costs will be determined at that time.
Q. Why are we doing it instead of building a new stadium?
Through the community planning process during the District Wide Facilities Master plan, keeping Memorial Field came forward as a recommendation in that process, and the Board accepted the recommendations.
Q. Are there plans for another stadium later?
No, there is no plan for another stadium.