Drain system, rock wall among new additions
Since September 2006, the construction on Farrand Field has widely been perceived as a long, loud and overall bothersome endeavor for students at CU.
The improvements intended for Farrand aim to create, “a jewel in the middle of campus,” said Carrie Levi, senior recreational board member.
Students and Recreation Center administrators wish to keep Farrand field as the “park and hang-out area for students,” said Diane Belz, construction project manager.
Though maintaining its lax and student-attracted repute, Farrand Field will look completely different.
“In comparison to other schools in the area and athletic conference, we had some work to do,” Levi said.
The first and most fundamental change to be made was the field’s infrastructure.
“We put in a quick-drain system after flattening and evening the surface,” said Don Pierce, project superintendent of Turner Construction Company. “It’ll quickly drain surface water so it doesn’t make a such a lasting, muddy mess whenever it rains.”
This quick-drain system consists of an underground main collection pipe around the perimeter, with lateral pipes spanning Farrand’s width. Between the lateral piping are rows of sand to help root the sod and migrate water into the piping systems.
In addition to a proper drainage system, Farrand field will also have an 18 to 20 inch rock wall around the edges of the field for sitting, Levi said. This rock wall will most likely span the north and east side of the field and will be constructed using the same flagstone rock as the buildings on campus.
Bordering the rock wall will be a four-feet-tall rod-iron fence-the same fencing surrounding Franklin Field, Pierce said.
“There are going to be entrance arches to the field on the northeast corner and the southwest corner near Wardenburg,” Levi said.
A 24-by-48-foot stage is set to be built on the field’s north side.
“The stage is a building without exterior walls,” Pierce said. “This is a five month project, but we are aiming to bring that down to four months.”
The addition of a stage to Farrand field opens a plethora of possibilities.
“Our facilities scheduler can plan larger events because of our larger venue and even concerts could be held,” Belz said.
The late addition of the stage did acutely delay the project’s completion, but weather proves to be the development’s major hang-up.
“This is the third worst winter to date in Colorado history. We moved 62 inches of snow off the field to keep working,” Pierce said.
Freshman living on-campus feel disappointed toward the absence of the infamous Farrand Field.
“Maybe it’s that nobody has told me what’s going on. It’s noisy, loud and looks terrible. If we could have it any other way, we would,” said Nate Reaven, a freshman psychology major.
The idea to improve the fields and recreational facilities around campus was voted on and passed by the student body as a whole.
The Recreational Center funded some of the project. The class of 2004 donated money toward the archways, the class of 2006 helped fund the stage and the rest comes from student fees, Belz said.
With all of the necessary improvements and structural updates around campus, students voted in the fall of 2006 to raise student fees by $10.75 per semester. A 20-year bond will pay for the project over time.
As far as immediate access, Turner Construction Company is doing the best and fastest job they can, Pierce said.
“It’s the nature of the beast. Construction always takes longer than it’s supposed to,” Belz said, “Construction on Farrand was not possible over the summer due to Global Jam, orientation and move-in.
Construction on Farrand field is taking away a portion of student life, especially for freshman. But, “When we’re done with it, you all are gonna have one nice stinkin’ field” Pierce said.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Victoria Barbatelli at victoria.barbatelli@thecampuspress.com
