The field house receives the stamp of approval from the Abington lacrosse team at the new Memorial Field athletic facility.
Penn State Abington and its community partner the Abington School District rededicated the upgraded and renovated Memorial Field last week, officially opening the athletic facility for shared use by the members of the college, school district, and community.
Penn State Abington's NCAA Division III membership increased its competitiveness in the Philadelphia market leading it to initiate the $5 million-plus investment with no cost to the school district or local taxpayers. Memorial Field now boasts a multipurpose artificial turf field with a track, field house, tennis courts, repositioned and improved softball field and storage building, practice field, new seating, and expanded parking facilities.
Abington student athletes and Chancellor Karen Wiley Sandler explore the upgraded athletic facility at Memorial Field.
Karen Wiley Sandler, Penn State Abington chancellor, said the project brought years of careful planning to fruition.
“The entire community wins by seeing and supporting the spirit of collaboration and mutual trust that drove this project from start to finish," Sandler said. "I predict that our partnership will serve as a state-wide, and perhaps national, model. So again, Abington leads the way.”
The University's 25-year lease with the school district includes an option to renew for an additional 20 years. Penn State Abington shares maintenance and security responsibilities with the school district. The school district administers a permitting process for outside organizations to use the site.
The fields' users were represented at the rededication by Sandler for Penn State Abington; Superintendent Amy Sichel for the school district; and township Commissioner Steven N. Kline, whose ward includes the fields, for the community. Student-athletes from the college and the senior high school ran a celebratory lap around the track at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Abington student athletes take a victory lap around the new track at Memorial Field.
