Feasibility study to begin at Richardson Stadium
April 21, 2014
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By Craig Leroux, Senior Communications Officer
As Queen’s staff prepare for the regular maintenance associated with the annual opening of Richardson Stadium, technical crews will soon be on site doing preliminary analyses for the stadium’s revitalization. The work will include a geotechnical survey that will see crews drill bore holes to establish soil conditions. The analyses are expected to be completed by early May.
“Richardson Stadium is more than 40 years old and Queen’s is currently fundraising to support its greatly needed revitalization,” says Donna Janiec, acting Associate Vice-Principal (Facilities). “With the stadium about to open for the season, now is the ideal time to perform this preliminary study so we can include its findings in the eventual design, configuration and systems for the stadium.”
In March Principal Daniel Woolf announced a $10 million pledge toward the revitalization of the stadium as well as the start of the public phase of the fundraising campaign to raise a total of $25 million for the project. Ms. Janiec says that it is important to complete this preliminary technical work and to seek input from nearby neighbours.
“Queen’s is committed to consultation and dialogue with the community, and that feedback, along with the results of the technical study, are vital at this stage to inform the development of specific plans for the stadium,” says Ms. Janiec. “The university will be in regular contact with neighbours and will hold a public meeting in the near future to seek input and hear any concerns.”
The current Richardson Stadium was built in 1971, with parts of it dating back to the original stadium built in 1920. In May 2013 an engineering report recommended the removal of portions of the bleachers and temporary seating was brought in that summer. The revitalization of the stadium is the next step in the university’s efforts to enhance its athletics and recreation facilities and follows the construction of the Athletic and Recreation Centre, the opening of Nixon Field, and upgrades to Tindall Field and West Campus practice fields.