ECU opens North Recreational Complex

ECU Chancellor Steve Ballard, center, and university student and administrative representatives cut the ribbon Oct. 30 to open officially the North Recreational Complex.

East Carolina University officially opened its newest student recreation facilities with lacrosse sticks, rugby balls, soccer cleats, ribbons and hot dogs.
Chancellor Steve Ballard led the Oct. 30 ribbon-cutting for the North Recreational Complex, an $8.5 million project on U.S. Highway 264, several miles from the core campus. Dozens of students from women and men’s club sports teams put the fields to good use before listening to several short speeches and enjoying hot dogs and hamburgers on the site.

Construction began on the project in March 2006. It sits on 129 acres and features eight lighted regulation fields for rugby and soccer. It is financed by student fees.

Ballard noted that with the new fields and the existing Student Recreation Center on the core campus, ECU offers students some of the best and most comprehensive recreation and fitness opportunities in the nation.

Nance Mize, assistant vice chancellor for campus recreation and wellness, said the new fields put the university in a position to host state, regional and national championships in several club sports.