Although parking seems to be evaporating on campus due to various construction projects, there are plans to provide relief in the coming year.
The University Student Recreational Complex’s expansion and redesign project will help bring about a solution, according to Laurie Braden, director of University Recreation.
As part of Phase II of the UREC renovations, some of the fields behind the main facility are currently being converted into a 360-spot parking lot that will be limited to two-hour parking.
The new lot is under contract to be completed by Jan. 3, 2014.
“This is very positive,” Braden said. “There is always a little inconvenience on the way to the good things.”
Also, as part of Phase I of the UREC expansion and redesign project, two of the new fields that will be on River Road will be used for game day parking.
Braden said the two eastern-most fields — the ones that will be closest to Alex Box Stadium — are being constructed with a special fiber solid that will reinforce the turf.
Braden said this fiber solid will allow the fields to accommodate parking without being ruined.
“This way they don’t become a rugged field and can still be played upon the next day,” Braden said.
All of this Phase I construction is already underway. When Phase I is complete there will be eight multipurpose fields and four softball fields along River Road, nine new tennis courts and 360 new parking spots at the UREC facility.
The two fields will be open for parking by the fall 2014 football season.