UF Announces Plans to Build Lacrosse/Football Stadium

The University of Findlay announced today plans for a new lacrosse/football stadium, which will be located on the current site of Kremer Field behind the Koehler Fitness and Recreation Complex.

"We are excited about the possibility of this new facility. With the growing interest in lacrosse and our desire to have a football field located directly on campus, this is an opportunity that we are happily exploring," stated Katherine Fell, Ph.D., president of The University of Findlay.

The University is in the process of raising funds for the $7-8 million project. If all the funds are secured, construction will begin on the 5,000-seat, open-air stadium in 2014. The stadium will have a lighted playing surface, approximately 700 chair-back seats, a two-floor press box, five suites, an electronic video scoreboard and locker rooms located under the stadium.

"Our athletic department is very excited about the possibility of adding a lacrosse/football stadium. A venue like this would be a tremendous upgrade for our athletic programs, allowing our teams to recruit and compete at the highest levels," said Steven Rackley, director of athletics at The University of Findlay.

The University received approval from Findlay's City Planning Commission on Thursday, Nov. 14, to close the portion of Foulke Avenue between North Cory Street and Morey Avenue to make room for the new stadium.

The stadium is being planned in cooperation with iGoHD, an HD entertainment streaming company based out of Cincinnati. In addition to serving as the playing field for UF's lacrosse and football teams, the stadium also will host eight live concerts a year that will be managed and streamed by iGoHD.

The facility will also provide more space for the University's large intramural sports program, which consists of 25 activities/sports and 3,000 participants.

If all goes well, the lacrosse team is planning to open its season on the new field in spring of 2015, and the football team plans to utilize the field during its season in fall of 2015.

The architecture and design of the stadium are provided by Wagner Murray Architects, P.A., located in Charlotte, N.C, and Echo Artz, LLC., located in Kissimmee, Fla.  Wagner Murray has provided architectural design at Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis Colts), Bank of America Stadium (Carolina Panthers) and Raymond James Stadium (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) among many others. Echo Artz has excelled in the fields of themed destinations, luxury resorts, retail, sporting venues and custom vehicles.