Soccer at Hope College got a boost this fall with the completion of Van Andel Soccer Stadium in September. The facility was finished three weeks ahead of schedule and the men's soccer team won the stadium's inaugural game on September 29.
An endowment led by Hope College alumni David and Carol Van Andel through The David and Carol Van Andel Foundation funded the $5.3 million project. Project costs include construction and estimated maintenance. Hope College named the stadium in the Van Andel's honor.
Designed by GMB Architecture + Engineering, Van Andel Soccer Stadium is located on about five acres near what is called Holland's eastern gateway at Fairbanks and 11th streets.
"It's a handsome addition," says Hope College spokesperson Tom Renner. "There is a longstanding relationship enjoyed between the city and college. Development … would not have happened without this public/private partnership."
Renner says initial reactions to the stadium have been positive.
The soccer field features the artificial turf ProGrass, a product made specifically for soccer field surfaces. Amenities at the complex include lighting for night games, individual and bleacher seats, men's and women's locker rooms, an officials' room, athletic training space, patios for tailgate parties, a full service concessions stand and a press box with high-speed Internet.
The technology in the press box also allows the college to post real time statistics and game updates to the Internet, and, Renner says, the potential to show soccer games online.
"The stadium is part of the college's growing outdoor athletics complex," says Renner.
The college will host a day of events Saturday, Oct. 17 to celebrate the new 1,400-seat stadium.
Source: Tom Renner, Hope College
Related ArticlesHope College scores goal with proposed $5.3M state-of-the-art soccer stadiumDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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