Eastern Michigan University's Eagles won't be held back by rain or snow, with a new
indoor facility to keep the sports teams -- and community -- practicing
in all seasons.
The $3.9 million facility opened earlier this
month at Huron River Drive and Westview Drive to offer EMU teams the chance to play sports year round. The air-supported
structure can be configured for a football field, international or
youth soccer fields, or baseball or softball fields. The space includes a
welcome center and has a 100-space parking lot.
Michigan has only limited opportunities to
train year round, which
isn't good for outdoor sports teams, Derrick Gragg, EMU's athletic director, points out. "It'll take away the competitive
disadvantage EMU athletics have operated under."
Although the university may have a traditional sports center down the
line, this was an economical solution for the time being, Gragg says.
Such structures last about 10 years. "This was a great way to
do something and level the playing field quickly."
EMU expects to rent the space to other sports teams in the community
when not in use by the university. "It's a great way to get people from
the community to come on to campus," he adds. "We've heard nothing
but positive things."
Gragg believes EMU's new
facility, big enough for an indoor soccer
field, is the largest of its kind within a 65 mile-area.
Source: Derrick Gragg, athletic
director for Eastern Michigan University
Writer: Kristin Lukowski
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