ECU breaks ground on new athletic complex

GREENVILLE, NC  —   In the foreground of a 129-acre parcel of land north of East Carolina University’s main campus, university community members gathered Wednesday to dig their ceremonial gold shovels into land slated to become the North Recreational Complex.

The groundbreaking ceremony was part of ECU’s Founders Week and took place at the future home of multi-sport activity fields, softball and baseball fields, a rope course, volleyball courts and an 18-hole Frisbee disc golf course.

Chancellor Steve Ballard said the facility’s groundbreaking coincides appropriately with this week’s activities.

“We are here to celebrate East Carolina’s 99th birthday and to celebrate some great new facilities,” he said.

The complex will be completed in three phases. Phase I, a $6 million project slated for a fall 2007 completion, includes eight lighted fields, a 5.6 acre pond, a sand and sunbathing area and a field house restroom facility area. Phase II includes more athletic fields, volleyball courts, a Frisbee golf course and a boathouse. Phase III includes an indoor recreation center.

“We are committed to student success and the facilities will further our abilities to do that,” Ballard said. “This is another element to that commitment.”

Student body president Cole Jones said the student population will witness a sound use of student fees when the complex opens in the fall of 2007.

“This is a fresh start, a new beginning and a step forward,” he said. “ I can’t wait to come out here and run around.”