Originally published October 17, 2014
By Daniel Perez
UTEP News Service
After a soft opening in September, the renovated Multipurpose Field behind The University of Texas at El Paso’s Student Recreation Center (SRC) is officially open for classes, intramurals and open play, and field supervisors hope their biggest problem is overuse.
The $1.2 million field, which boasts state-of-the-art artificial turf, lighting, and a sand volleyball and soccer pit, includes lines for soccer, football and softball, but has additional space that can be used for everything from Frisbee golf and CrossFit to low-initiative Challenge Course activities. The sand court should open in early November.
Among the first to take advantage of the enhanced venue were a group of students who planned to practice for an upcoming off-campus seven-on-seven soccer tournament. Rigo Chavez, a senior finance major, said it was his first time using the field. He heard about it from fellow business students who raved about it.
“I’m impressed,” Chavez said. “I think this is great for students. We’re not going to find many areas like this open to us on campus. This is really nice.”
The field is the final piece of the $32 million renovation project of the Student Recreation Center, 3450 Sun Bowl Drive, which broke ground in 2009. The center reopened in 2011. The pool facilities were closed at that time, renovated and reopened a year later.
Ruben Espinoza, associate director of UTEP’s Recreational Sports Department, said there has been great interest in the field. It has been used by about 100 students, staff and faculty per day since its official soft opening on Sept. 19. Among the regular users have been participants in Greek intramural activities and students in kinesiology and military science classes. As more students find out about it, they ask about its availability.
“Our mission is to serve the students. They’re the ones paying for it,” Espinoza said. “I hope it gets used 17 hours a day.”
The University had three multiuse fields as of the late 1980s when the student population was about 15,000 – University, Baltimore and Oregon fields. Baltimore Field, now Glory Field, is used by the football team. University Field is mostly used by the women’s soccer team, and Oregon Field was plowed under to construct Miner Village.
The original grass-covered multipurpose field was used from 1996 until the recreation center renovations began in 2009. Construction cut irrigation to the field, which eventually turned into a dirt lot that hardy students still used until the field renovations began several years ago. The site preparation alone took about a year because of the rocky terrain.
SRC officials said food and drink other than water are not allowed within the fenced area to help maintain the integrity of the artificial turf, which should last 10 years. They also stressed the field and sand pit only are open to UTEP students, faculty and staff.
“We are trying to protect the investment of the students so it will not be open to the public,” said Espinoza, who referred to the fees that students approved in a 2006 election for enhanced recreation facilities. It was authorized by the state legislature during its 2007 session.
So far the sand pit, which has a sprinkler system to cool the sand during the summer months, and the field are earning high marks from students, said Frank Aldaz, recreation sports specialist who supervises the facilities. He said he has given tours to UTEP officials and their guests and all are impressed.
“I’m proud to show it off,” he said. “I foresee a lot of demand for this place. I’m going to have to be careful with the scheduling to accommodate everyone.”
It is open from 8:30 a.m. through 10 p.m. to students, faculty and staff, but its open play hours vary. The open hours at the Multipurpose Field are noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 7:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The hours at the sand volleyball court are noon to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, noon to 6 p.m. Friday, noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Rec center officials said the schedules are subject to change. Other times will need to be requested.
Hector Munñoz, Recreational Sports Department director, said he already is looking for an additional field to better serve the campus’ more than 23,000 students, but there is no site or timeline yet.