Schools

KSU Unveils Third Phase of Sports Park

The 88-acre park features new fields, volleyball courts, and a 9,000- square-foot amenities building.

unveiled the third and final phase of its new 88-acre sports and recreation park Monday afternoon—a facility which includes nine new fields, an NCAA-regulation track and a nine-acre lake adjacent to an 8,300-seat stadium.

With funding from student fees, the newly completed section of the park features five synthetic-turf fields, two natural-turf fields, one intramural field, two warm-up fields and four sand volleyball courts. The facility also includes a 9,000- square-foot amenities building and a .92-mile trail.

“The KSU Sports and Recreation Park is an important addition to the university’s infrastructure, providing students with much-needed facilities,” said Kennesaw State President Daniel Papp in a statement. “Quality academics and a vibrant campus life are part of any top university. With the completion of Phase III of the project and additional student housing set to open in August, Kennesaw State is well on its on way to competing at the national level.”

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The first phase of the park, which opened in October 2009, included two state-of-the-art synthetic-turf fields and the 16,000-square-foot Owls Nest indoor training facility. The second phase featured the stadium, which opened in May 2010 and was the site of the in December.

the Kennesaw area would see more than $2.5 million flow into the area’s hotels and restaurants with the influx of visitors who watched the tournament. Some 2,000 hotel rooms were booked in and around Kennesaw, tourism officials said.

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In addition to becoming an NCAA Division I school in fall 2005—and last year to help prepare the school for a football team, among other things—Kennesaw State has also seen participation in intramural and club sports increase by 30 percent, university officials said.

“There has been a real sense of pride and excitement among the students ever since the opening of the Owls Nest,” said Vice President for Student Successs Jerome Ratchford. “Now with the completion of the sports park, KSU has further demonstrated its commitment to making the university a destination campus.”

During Monday's ribbon-cutting ceremony, Papp introduced Marty Elliott as the new executive director and general manager for the KSU Sports and Recreation Park and stadium.

Papp also recognized the KSU Foundation for helping to acquire the land and financing for the facility.

Check here for KSU Owls' photo gallery of Monday's opening ceremony.


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