AMHERST, Mass. – Amherst College has broken ground on an extensive renovation project of Hill and Gooding Fields that will transform the playing surfaces into two best-in-class athletic facilities. Construction began on March 22 and will continue through the summer.

The project will convert Hill Field into a state-of-the-art, field hockey-specific facility and provide a significant upgrade to Gooding Field to increase capacity for Amherst club sports and intramurals. It will also provide an alternate playing surface for men's and women's varsity soccer when their natural grass fields are unplayable due to weather conditions, and for men's and women's lacrosse when there are scheduling conflicts at Pratt Field. The fields will make their official debut in fall 2021.

"I couldn't be more excited about the project," said Director of Athletics Don Faulstick. "This will improve the athletic and wellness experience for many club and varsity athletes for years to come. I'm especially happy for our field hockey student-athletes. I really appreciate their patience and admire the success the program has achieved while playing on a hybrid surface. I can't wait to cheer them on this fall on their new field!"

"Amherst College offers top-notch opportunities for student-athletes to strive for excellence, both academically and athletically. Our current team is counting down the days until we can start to work on our new surface," said head field hockey coach Carol Knerr. "Prospective student-athletes are taking note that we will have one of the best playing surfaces in the country and we appreciate the College's support in providing an elite facility where field hockey players can emphasize the use of fast passing and precise ball control and have access to the highest level of conditions possible in order to be their best. The next chapter of the Amherst field hockey story will be a great one."

Located between Gooding Field and the Amherst Softball Field, Hill Field was a reliable natural grass surface utilized as a practice facility for varsity sports, including football and track and field, and as a playing surface for club and intramural athletics. Highlights of the renovation project include:

• The instillation of a Poligras Platinum playing surface and irrigation system
• A five-row, 92-foot-long bleacher system (approximate capacity 244)
• An LED lighting system appropriate for evening play and practice
• Covered benches for both home and away teams to protect against the elements
• A digital Daktronics scoreboard system with audio capabilities

The upgrades to Gooding Field include the installation of a Rhino Blend 48 synthetic turf field with Amherst Mammoths branding that features a crumb-rubber infill system similar to that at the College's Pratt Field, and enhancements to its irrigation and drainage systems.

Gooding Field is named in honor of former athletic director and head men's soccer coach Peter Gooding and his wife, Myra, a valued colleague at the Career Center and Alumni Office, for their nearly 40 years of service to the College. It was dedicated and officially opened in fall 2007, thanks to the kindness of many generous donors. Gooding Field, the College's first-ever turf field, has hosted countless varsity athletic contests, club and intramural sports matchups, and community events over the last 14 years and will continue to do so following this summer's upgrades.

"Gooding Field has hosted so many important soccer games in the past 14 years – NCAA Tournament games, NESCAC Tournament games, and dozens of regular-season matches," commented head men's soccer coach Justin Serpone. "We're thrilled that it will continue to be a top-rate facility, worthy of its namesake, Peter Gooding, who is the most important figure in Amherst men's soccer history."

"With the renovation of Gooding Field, the soccer programs will have access to a lighted facility with a first-class surface," said head women's soccer coach Jen Hughes. "This will be particularly beneficial to scheduling evening practices and matches and having a high-quality surface in the event of inclement weather. This will be a valuable complement to our existing natural grass facilities and will provide us with the flexibility to best accommodate the many demands on our student-athletes. We can't wait to train and play on it!"