Leaders at Triton College didn’t take long to start renovation work on the eastern part of the campus.
Construction equipment moved busily in the background as college officials, students, staff and alumni held a groundbreaking ceremony April 27. The groundbreaking ceremony took place just west of the college’s old football field, which will be turned into a soccer field and lacrosse field. The college’s baseball field will also get a makeover as part of the renovation.
Triton College Board Chairman Mark Stephens told the crowd that a positive transformation is in process for the east campus.
“We are going to return this side of the campus back to its glory days,” he said.
The $13 million project started on April 22, paid for with $53 million the college recently borrowed to pay for numerous infrastructure upgrades on campus. Artificial turf will be used on the track and baseball field instead of grass to allow for more use of the site, especially when it rains or snows.
The renovations are expected to be completed in November. Harry Torgerson, head baseball coach at the college, said he can’t wait to practice and play on the baseball field once it is renovated. He said a new baseball field would separate them from other community colleges, and would definitely help with recruiting players to the school.
Lou Collier, who was a student athlete on the college’s baseball team, was one of three alumni and former professional athletes at the groundbreaking. He spent several years playing professional baseball; he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies.
Collier said a new baseball field will benefit the college’s players because the artificial team will mean the team has more time to practice, since artificial turf drains much faster than grass.
“They really need to work and get the time in,” he said. “The more use and time you can get outdoors, the more opportunity you have to improve as a player.”