Campus Transformation Continues: South Campus

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2016) — By Fall 2017, more than 5,700 students – the most ever – will live either on central or south campus at the University of Kentucky.

As part of an effort to support those students and continue the dramatic transformation of the campus, the UK Board of Trustees Friday approved a $49 million proposal to relocate and build a new baseball stadium that will make available to students more green and recreational space, additional parking, and will help complete a modern sports complex on the southern edge of campus.

“We have more students than at any time in our history living in this part of our campus,” said Eric N. Monday, UK’s executive vice president for finance and administration. “We need to provide appropriate support for students, faculty and staff and address the identified need for both increased recreational space and transportation options. We have a unique opportunity through the continued revitalization of – and investment in – our athletics facilities to continue the progress the university has made to create an incomparable living and learning environment for students at UK.”

“We are proud to continue to play a role in supporting the growth of this university — this time with the proposed move and construction of our baseball facility, as well as the relocation of our soccer practice field,” said UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart. “We appreciate the partnership of President (Eli) Capilouto and look forward to the continued transformation of our campus and our athletic facilities.”

"I am gratified by the fact that Athletics plays such an integral role in the advancement of our total campus as exemplified by the $65 million contribution to the Jacobs Science Building. This is just an initial investment in the continued commitment of Athletics to the broader campus," said Dr. C. B. Akins, Sr., chair of the board’s University Athletics Ccommittee.  “As the campus transformation continues before our very eyes, so our athletics facilities must continue to be restructured to be competitive in our  ability to attract the best of the best and compete with the same. Our mission as a part is congruent with that of the whole, namely to educate, conduct research, and serve the Commonwealth.”

Specifically, board members approved:

-- A project scope of $49 million to relocate Cliff Hagan Baseball Stadium from near the track and field complex to the southern edge of campus, off Alumni Drive, by the existing soccer and softball complexes.

-- $2 million to relocate and upgrade the soccer practice field for UK’s Soccer Program. The project, also approved during the 2016 legislative session, will relocate the practice field and include lighting and natural turf upgrades. It will be paid for by the Athletics Department, using private funds.

-- With facility moves and construction, UK will begin making other upgrades to green spaces, recreational areas, and parking. The series of moves – which would include relocation of the existing tennis facility, located off University Drive, to the current Cliff Hagan Baseball Stadium location – creates space to build a recreation and parking zone in the heart of south campus.

-- A south campus recreation and parking zone could include enhanced and expanded recreation facilities and outdoor fields as well as a substantial increase in parking capacity.

“We are continuing the physical transformation of our campus in ways that will support student life and learning,” Monday said. “At the same time, our campus master plan is taking a strategic look at how we can maximize the space we have for parking and other amenities that facilitate better transportation around our campus as we strive to become one of the premier public, residential research campuses in the country. This is another step forward in that process.”

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, visit  uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Jay Blanton, 859-257-6605, jay.blanton@uky.edu