Kentucky’s Centre College Campus transformations include TigerTurf in Farris Stadium!

Centre College's Farris Stadium Sports TigerTurf!

Much has changed on Centre College's campus in the past few years.

Alumni and friends of the College who return to campus after several years away are often astonished by the transformations. While much that is familiar remains, Centre has acquired new dimensions of scale and architectural consistency.

Perhaps the biggest change at Centre is the new Campus Center, which opened its doors in October 2009.

Standing where the original Cowan Dining Commons once was, the remarkable 50,000 square foot facility is home to the new Cowan, a grille/snack bar, the Student Life Office, conference rooms, a game room (complete with flat-screen, high-definition televisions, Wii systems, pool and ping-pong tables and more), socializing spaces, fireplaces and much more.

Associate Dean of the College and professor of chemistry Dr. Keith Dunn believes that the opening of the Campus Center was the most newsworthy event of the past year. "That building has completely transformed our everyday campus lives like few other occurrences can," he says.

Alumni returning for Homecoming 2009 were eager to tour Centre's newest facility, and all were dazzled.

"I couldn't wait to come back to campus for Homecoming to see the completed Campus Center," Louisville native Emily Boyle '09 says. "I was really impressed by all of the campus improvements. The current and future students are lucky to have such new and beautiful facilities."

"Having been a long-time fan of the shows and performances in both Weisiger and the Norton Center, it's exciting to see that the theaters are now truly ideal venues for the professional events that take place in them," senior Chase Warner of Lexington, Ky., says. "The venues have just enough class to make you feel like you're on Broadway and just enough character to let you feel the uniqueness that is Centre College."

Several athletic facilities have recently been renovated as well. Installation of TigerTurf in Farris Stadium, home of the Colonels football team, was completed in the fall of 2009. Surrounding the new turf field is an entirely new red polyethylene track. A new pole vault, long jump and triple jump pits, and high jump and javelin pads were also installed last year.

Nearby, the Gary Wright Baseball Field underwent a total renovation as well. With laser grading of the field, the installation of an irrigation system, an outfield warning track and artificial turf in front of each dugout, the field is ready for spring play.

As project after project moves to completion, Centre continues to improve. Prospective students, as well as alumni and friends of the College, are encouraged to come see the changes for themselves.

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