Saturday, January 27, 2001
New St. X stadium will have artificial turf
Track, baseball field, cross country course in works, too
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The first Cincinnati high school football stadium with artificial turf will be constructed at St. Xavier.
The Board of Trustees of St. Xavier approved the preliminary planning and funding strategy for an outdoor stadium complex that will include an eight-lane, all-weather track.
“We're trying to make sure the whole project is kept in context with our high academic standards,” St. Xavier president Fr. William L. Verbryke, S.J., said.
“Because of St. Xavier's reputation and the many people who are interested, we're attempting to keep sports in its proper prospective.”
The plan for the sports complex calls for 7,000 aluminum seats with ample restrooms and concession stands. The stadium also will be used by the soccer and lacrosse teams.
Also, a completely fenced baseball field with seating and parking will be constructed adjacent to the stadium, along with a 3.1-mile cross country course that will be visable from the seating, with the finish line inside the stadium.
The recent acquisition of the Girls Town School and Convent property, across North Bend Avenue from St.Xavier, will be used for parking and soccer, football and lacrosse practice fields.
St.X athletic director Pete Boylan said the project will proceed in phases, with the stadium the most pressing need.
The school's stadium seats fewer than 4,000 fans, and about 10,000-plus jam in for Greater Catholic League games with Moeller and Elder.
“Given other needs, the large scope of the outdoor complex and the fact that many supporters of the previous building campaign are still fulfilling pledges, it is impossible to predict a starting date,” Boylan said.
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New St. X stadium will have artificial turf
