After much speculation about the fate of Georgetown’s aging sports facilities, the Athletic Department has released new plans showcasing the planned replacement for Harbin Field, the current home of Georgetown football.
The proposed layout will contain two phases of construction. The first would lay down an artificial turf field and a basic infrastructure. The second phase would add permanent fencing, a two story press box, support spaces, locker rooms, video and conference rooms, training rooms as well as a new scoreboard. The facility will be the new home for Georgetown’s soccer, football and lacrosse teams.
“The Multi-Sport Facility will also serve as a wonderful addition to the main campus of Georgetown and enhance the educational experience that Georgetown provides to all of its students,” David Sears, Director of Development, Athletics said. “We continue to work diligently with our alumni, parents, and friends on completing the funding of the project. We look forward to seeing our students playing intercollegiate, intramural and recreational games there as well as hosting other student events in the facility.”
The plans come at an important time in Georgetown’s construction history. The opening of the Southwest Quadrangle last year created a dramatic change to the face of the campus with the addition of new dorms and a dining hall. The new arts center, currently under construction, is slated to open in 2005. The building of a new boathouse for the crew team on the Potomac remains a contentious issue involving zoning laws and various local groups, although the plan is scheduled to move forward. Also to be built in the future is a new, grand MSB center adjacent to Leavey. In addition, the University’s financial problems remain a lingering issue in any future construction
Even within the Athletic Department the multi-sport facility has competition for funding and support. The perennially competitive track team is looking for a new home and is considered to be a priority within the Department. Another project widely discussed with the student body has been addressing the old McDonough Gymnasium. There have long been calls for an on-campus basketball arena, although administration has given little specific indication of any future activity.
Releasing new designs for the multi-sport facility represents an important vote of confidence by the Athletic Department. According to a University press release, there is hope the sketches will inspire a boast in donations, and once one phase of construction begins, more will follow.
Many students however, bombarded by the multiple stories of campus construction were unaware of this project.
“I didn’t even know the plan existed. We have a plan?” said Jessica Shtofmakher (MSB ‘05)
Nonetheless, plans for the multi-sport facility are moving forward. The field will have four entrances, one at each end of the facility creating access from all corners of the campus. The multi-sports facility will compound the Southwest Quadrangle’s impact of creating a second hub of student activity at the back of campus.
Each entrance will be an arch made from brick. They are intended to uphold the American Gothic architecture with which Georgetown is identified. The idea is imaginative and has the support of many students.
“Sports has always been a contributor to the Georgetown name, and as a member of the sports community on campus, Andrew Rivera (MSB ‘05), a constat presence at Yates gym said. “I’m happy to see improvements in that area that are in line with the University’s image.”
