Witter Rugby Field Renovation Project

The project would upgrade and modernize the existing Witter Rugby Field to improve the experience for spectators, student-athletes, and staff. Proposed improvements include permanent spectator seating with a covered concourse, concessions, restrooms, enhanced press and broadcast facilities, a new two-story team support building with locker rooms, hospitality space, and offices, and upgraded site accessibility through ADA-compliant paths, ramps, and lifts. Additional improvements include new fencing, landscaping, circulation and access enhancements, and upgraded field lighting featuring energy-efficient LED fixtures designed to minimize light spill and glare. The existing public address system would remain, with relocation of one speaker and light pole. The project would remove 25 parking spaces in the existing Witter Lot, but would replace the lost parking with eight spaces, including 2 ADA parking spaces on-site and up to six new parallel spaces along Centennial Drive (including 2 ADA spaces), for a net loss of 17 parking spaces. Future use of the field would generally remain consistent with existing operations. The facility would continue to be open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and used primarily for practices, intramural sports, clinics, camps, and other recreational activities. During the spring rugby season (typically January through April), the field would host approximately six regular-season home games and up to four postseason games. While intercollegiate rugby games are not currently played at night, the analysis will assume up to 10 future rugby or other athletic events per year could occur during the evening; however, no events would begin after 7 p.m. and evening events would not overlap with events at the adjacent football stadium or softball field. Current spectator capacity is approximately 2,000 people through a combination of temporary bleachers and standing-room areas. The project would increase maximum capacity to 2,500 spectators, including 1,804 permanent seats and approximately 700 standing-room spaces. The project would be constructed entirely within the Witter Rugby Field site and would not alter the field’s size or configuration.