FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
GW baseball’s home field in Arlington, Va., will be getting a major facelift before the start of the Colonials’ season.
Baseball Field #6 at Barcroft Park, a 65-acre park at 4200 South Four Mile Run Drive, will receive new turf, stadium seating and other amenities through a partnership between GW and the Arlington County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department (PRCR).
On Sept. 20, the Arlington County Board voted to approve the construction, use and maintenance agreement between GW and the county, allowing GW to begin enhancements at Barcroft Park. This decision followed months of discussions with the county including meetings seeking community and stakeholder input about upgrades to the field and associated stadium spaces. Barcroft Park has served as GW’s home field since 1993.
“GWU’s contribution will make Field #6 the best baseball field in Arlington, while the community will have even more use of the field than it has now,” said Board Chairman Christopher Zimmerman. “This is a great example of how local government can leverage public-private partnerships to bring real benefits to the community.”
Improvements include a; press box and concessions area; new stadium seating; and a synthetic turf field with new dugouts and bullpens. Construction is expected to begin in October, and GW will use the upgraded field in spring 2012.
As a result of this partnership, GW will also be able to explore other opportunities to use PRCR’s numerous facilities in the county.
The need to improve the Barcroft facility has been identified as a priority in the university’s Athletics Review and by GW athletic staff, coaches and student-athletes. The field also hosts community league competitions.
“We are extremely pleased that the university and Arlington County will continue and expand the partnership in support of the GW baseball program,” said Director of Athletics and Recreation Patrick Nero. “This is a great opportunity to provide a modern facility for both GW student-athletes and the youth of northern Virginia, and we thank Arlington County for its support of this transformational project.”
Projected overall costs are at least $3 million. GW will share costs of maintenance with the county. In exchange for this investment, GW has secured rights to use the field for the next 20 years. The university also will be fundraising to help finance the project.
The Colonials have compiled a 291-181-1 record at Barcroft Park. The team’s most successful year at Barcroft was in 2003 when they had seven consecutive home victories and ended the season with a 19-3 home record.
