Lake Erie College in Painesville received a $1.5 million grant from the Lake County Board of Commissioners for athletic field turf.
“When I met with the commissioners late last spring and shared our needs in order to remain a strong, viable institution, turfing this field was at the top of the list,” Lake Erie College President Jennifer N. Schuller said in a news release. “We are a Division II college, and 80% of our students are student athletes, so facilities such as this are an important recruitment and retention tool.”
Athletic Director Molly Hoffman said in the release the grant will provide a greater opportunity to bring in K-12 and club teams to the campus.
The current grass field is surrounded on three sides by the Lincoln Library and Learning Commons, a quadrant of residence halls and the Jerome T. Osborne Athletic Facility, according to the release, which will allow the geographical location to become more visually appealing.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to help improve the Lake Erie College athletic field,” Commissioner John T. Plecnik said in the release. “We understand the importance of having a safe and well-maintained field for athletic activities, and we are committed to making sure that this project is a success. Lake Erie College is an anchor institution in Lake County and we are proud to ensure they can thrive and support our growing community.”
The grant will cover costs for turf and to light the field, however the college will be looking for donors to further the project, including an updated scoreboard, press box and grandstands.
“A well-maintained and modern athletic field is a crucial component of a successful college sports program,” Commissioner Richard J. Regovich said in the release. “By allocating funding towards this project, we are showing our dedication to fostering a competitive and thriving athletic department at Lake Erie College.”
