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.
