Courtsey of Brian Beard

Over the summer, construction concluded on Pickard Field after 18 months of renovations and changes to the College’s outdoor sports facility. This project was launched under former President Clayton Rose and concluded at the dawn of President Safa Zaki’s second year at Bowdoin.

Ashmead White Director of Athletics Tim Ryan praised Rose, as well as other contributors to this project for prioritizing the improvements to the athletic spaces on campus.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Pickard Field renovation project provided by [Rose] and [Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration & Treasurer] Matt Orlando, along with the tireless efforts of [Director of Capital Projects] John Simoneau and [Government Relations and Land Use Specialist] Catherine Ferdinand to help bring our vision to a reality,” Ryan wrote in an email to the Orient.

The fields now have an assortment of updated amenities such as new field lights, turf on the majority of the fields, a natural grass rugby field, a practice soccer field, dugouts, bullpens, batter cages and press boxes.

There is also a new multipurpose field with lights, lines for soccer and rugby as well as removable rugby goal posts. The main goal for this field is to provide a space for intramural and club sports to expand, offering more opportunities for students to get involved with athletics.

“The renovated fields will provide contemporary competition and practice facilities for hundreds of Bowdoin varsity, club and intramural sport participants while providing additional flexibility for our students as they pursue their academic and athletic interests,” Ryan wrote.

The renovations also include new softball and baseball facilities, which dramatically changed the way the College’s teams approached their seasons last year. The teams are already looking forward to using the facilities for fall practices this month.

“It’s reshaped how we practice, when we can practice and just the whole feeling around the program,” Ryan Sullivan, head coach of softball, said. “Being able to practice in February and March because you have turf is a game changer and having lights is just as important…. It creates a better flow for everyone, which we appreciate. I cannot be effusive enough about how it feels.”

The renovations also include a new underground filtration system to treat stormwater that accumulates on the field. However, there are still some challenges with the filtration system.

“We are working to resolve some grass growth and drainage challenges in the open area behind Farley Field House, and we are also working on some drainage along the sidelines of the sod grass practice soccer field,” Ryan wrote. “There are plans in place to start to rectify the problems and they will be getting going next week, but nothing out of the ordinary in terms of regular ground maintenance.”

The completion of the renovations comes at the perfect time as rugby, soccer and field hockey kick off their fall seasons and lacrosse begins off-season training with a new and improved sports complex.

Kristen Kinzler contributed to this report.