Newsroom

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University will formally dedicate its new outdoor recreation complex this Friday, celebrating a project voted on and paid for by students.

Located just north of Gill Coliseum, the complex provides a park-like setting for student intramural and sport club activity, drop-in and leisure recreation, and physical activity classes.  The public celebration begins at noon with comments from students who were instrumental in initiating the project.

The name of the complex will be announced at the ceremony; a picnic lunch and field activities follow.

The student-funded project has greatly improved the facilities for intramural teams on campus. The space is overlooked by several residence halls, and the views have been dramatically improved since the project began last spring. (See a live web cam view here: http://webcam.oregonstate.edu/intramural/) The location has been used for student-related physical activity for more than 80 years.

"Part of the goal was not just to revamp the sports fields but to create a park-like setting," said Bill Callender, associate director of facilities for Recreational Sports.

The fields have winding pathways accessible by bike and pedestrians, lots of lighting, benches for resting and enjoying the view, and sidewalks to link the location to other parts of campus. New restrooms, drinking fountains and pavilions are also in place.

"We're hoping everyone can find a place on the site," Callender said.

New tennis courts, a track and a basketball court are nearly complete, although the courts won't be surfaced until drier weather settles in. The lighted, synthetic fields will extend daily usage for sports such as flag football, soccer, baseball, tennis, lacrosse, rugby, and ultimate disc, by allowing year around use into the evening hours.