University of Virginia Library

Athletic Facilities Realized

With the University's enrollment
climbing, the Athletic Department
is busy with some long range plans
to push ahead their program to
meet the needs.

Two years ago two trackmen,
Vince Derr and Ed Hardy, initiated
an ambitious plan to replace the
aging track facilities at Lambeth
Field.

The project was then taken over
by a committee with Derr and
Hardy working with Coach Lou
Onesty on the actual physical plans.
The plans consist of a nine lane
Tartan all weather track, shot put
circle, discus circle, javelin runway,
high jump pit and approach, two
long jump and triple jump runways
with two pits, and another pit for
pole vaulting.

Much of the 160,000 dollars
needed for the complex has been
raised but more funds are still
needed. As to when the construction
can be started west of
University Hall depends on the
income of funds in the near future.
Athletic Director Steve Sebo is
hopeful the track can be ready for
the 1970 season if not this spring.

Following the new track will be
a new baseball field. Construction
will be undertaken by the Athletic
Department with the co-operation
of the Planning Department. This
should be ready for the 1971
season and will also be to the west
of University Hall.

Memorial Gym's antiquated
swimming pool is soon to be phased
out by an addition to the University
Hall complex. Handball
courts, squash courts, locker rooms,
and a new pool will be included in a
new 1.3 million dollar addition. Mr.
Sebo indicated construction will
begin in January, 1970.

Memorial Gym itself will be
renovated in the next few years in
order to facilitate the needs of the
physical education program and for
the use of the student looking for a
place to enjoy some physical
recreation.

More exciting plans could be in
the offing for the future. The
University's science departments
and Engineering School are going to
expand-in the direction of Scott
Stadium. And Scott Stadium already
has its serious deficiencies.
There are no lights, the seating
capacity is the smallest in the ACC,
and the parking problems are huge
with no efficient access routes.

With the construction of Interstate
64; something might be
planned to use it for the main
access route for a larger, lighted
stadium, making the overall situation
more attractive for visiting
teams to play in Charlottesville.