Hooker Fields gets hooked up with $3 million in renovations

Hooker Fields, home to many of UNC’s intramural and club sports teams, will become one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly recreational fields in the country.

Bill Goa, director of campus recreation, said the renovations began in late May and are set to be completed by Sept. 26. The total cost of the renovations is $3,090,098.

“(The renovations) will fit in nicely with UNC’s sustainability plan,” Goa said.

The renovations to Hooker Fields include replacing the current field turf with a 100 percent recyclable synthetic turf and installing an adjustable lighting LED system that cuts energy use by 40 percent.

Sophomore biology major Nishita Sheth said she heard Hooker Fields was being renovated and thinks sustainability issues are important.

“When you learn about things like this, my reaction was ‘Oh, cool.’ That forces me to look more into the issue, look into why they’re replacing it, and why it wasn’t as great before as it can be now,” Sheth said.

The renovations also aim to make Hooker Fields safer for students. The new field will have an inch-and-a-half thick foam drainage and safety pad.

Before the renovations, Hooker Fields’ turf was built directly on top of hard surfaces. Goa said the pad will reduce concussions and stress on legs, and make it easier for students to play in rain.

“Sometimes you’d go out there and be in sopping wet grass, even though it’s artificial. I think the drainage and the extra padding will help with some of the falls, bumps and bruises we all get with intramurals,” said Mitch Hanks, co-chairperson of the Campus Recreation Advisory Council.

The Educational Foundation, or the Rams Club, primarily gives money to UNC’s Division I Athletics programs. The Rams Club gave approximately $200,000 to help pay for the $280,000 Brock Safety pad, Goa said. He said it is very unusual for an athletic department to support a student recreation facility.

“UNC Rams Club and the athletic department had a philosophy of helping all students, not just UNC athletes,” Goa said.

Hanks said the renovated Hooker Fields will provide Wi-Fi, more power outlets and adjustable lights, making it a better venue for events like Holi Moli and FallFest.

“They want to be able to have concerts out there,” he said. “They want to be able to do more than just sports.”

Goa said a UNC feasibility study found that based on UNC’s prestige and student body size, the campus should have between 30 and 35 acres for outdoor recreational student use. UNC only has 9.3 acres.

“We really have to make good use of our existing facilities. That’s why this project is so important,” Goa said.

Elizabeth Brewer, a co-chairperson of the Campus Recreation Advisory Council, said the renovation of Hooker Fields is just the first step in Campus Recreation’s long-term plans to improve their facilities and offerings.

“I can’t really divulge the rest of the master plan but there (are) going to be a lot of good things happening.”

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