Judson University to hold groundbreaking for new turf and practice track Feb. 4

On Friday, Feb. 4, Judson University in Elgin will host a groundbreaking for its new artificial turf and track complex at the current Dawson Field (university soccer field) at 11 a.m.

An outdoor groundbreaking is planned near the bleachers on the soccer field. If weather conditions do not allow for an outdoor event, the groundbreaking will relocate to the Fitness Center on Judson's Elgin campus, 1151 N. State St.

The new artificial turf and practice track will provide a home competitive and practice complex for the men's and women's soccer teams.

The new space will also serve as a practice complex for the football and track and field teams.

This complex will directly accommodate over 200 scholar-athletes and will serve as an alternative practice and training space for other intercollegiate athletic programs. Recreational use and external rentals will also be available on the complex.

"The university is very excited to open this new complex. Our number of scholar-athletes continues to grow as does our competitive success," said Dr. Nikki Fennern, Judson executive vice president. "This new complex will be a beautiful addition to the campus and will give our current scholar-athletes a facility conducive to further advancing competitive success while also assisting in recruiting talented prospective scholar-athletes."

The general contractor for the renovation will be Shales McNutt Construction and Dewberry Architecture, both local businesses. Plans call for the new turf field and practice track to be completed for the start of the fall 2022 academic year.