Longwood University Athletics has constructed a new facility for the sports of men’s and women’s soccer.  Three of four phases of construction have been completed with the inaugural season of competition scheduled to commence with the 2006 season.
    
“This project will give our soccer programs an outstanding facility for intercollegiate practice and competition,” explained Longwood Director of Athletics Rick Mazzuto.  “It will give our coaches great opportunities to continue recruiting quality student-athletes and prepare our teams for continued success at the Division I level.”
    

The new Athletics Complex is located on Johnston Drive in Farmville across the street from the Longwood Golf Club and Longwood Estate, and features a Bermuda natural grass turf field for men’s and women’s soccer.  The field has lights and a scoreboard, while the final phase will include spectator bleacher seating for approximately 350 with additional seating on a grass incline along with a press platform.
    
The $5.5 million project also includes an adjacent synthetic turf field for field hockey and women’s lacrosse.  This field has lights and a scoreboard, while the final phase will include spectator bleacher seating for approximately 350 with additional seating on a grass incline along with a press platform.

“These new facilities represent the commitment Longwood University is making in its quest for Division I status,” stated Longwood President Dr. Patricia P. Cormier.  “They will be state-of-the-art fields that will be comparable to the best in intercollegiate athletics in the nation.  Longwood will be a highly-desirable place for competitive play.”
    
The supporting structures for the two fields will include an entrance pavilion that will house ticket booths, restrooms, and a concession area.  A separate support building will provide team changing/dressing rooms, a maintenance room, and a utility room. Parking and access pathways will also be provided.
    

The project architect is VMDO Architect’s, P.C. of Charlottesville, Virginia.  As mentioned, construction is taking place in four phases.  The first phase included initial site clearing, grading, and utility services. The second phase was for the playing surfaces for both fields, while the third phase was field lighting.  The fourth and final phase includes the support facilities.