Beginning last Thursday, the new recreation field is now open to USF St. Petersburg students, sports clubs and the Tampa Bay Rowdies during open recreation and practice hours.
Students must bring their USFSP ID to gain entry.
“The rec field is expected to be fully completed by this fall,” said Greg Haverlock, fitness and intramural coordinator. “Phase 2 of the project is currently underway. The field will soon include lights, a scoreboard and access control. There are plans to install a lightning detection system and Wi-Fi, as well.”
This professional-grade field will provide more opportunities for intramural sports, which will be held from 4-8 p.m. every Wednesday. Intramural soccer was played on the new field for the first time last week. Prior to the field’s opening, intramural soccer and soccer club games had to be held off campus.
As of now, soccer is the only field-sport club at USFSP; but campus athletes believe more will be on the way with the opening of the new field. Field hockey, lacrosse, and frisbee-golf are just a few possibilities for future intramural sports and clubs.
The field’s open recreation times are 3-5 p.m on Mondays, 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays, and 4-7 p.m. on Sundays. USFSP Soccer Club practices will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays.
“This schedule might change, as we are beginning to feel out how it works for the students and the clubs,” said Haverlock.
The Rowdies will be practicing on the field every morning, Monday through Friday. They have helped the university Capital Improvement Trust Fund in financing the field by paying for the Bermuda sod and the fencing. The partnership between USF and the Rowdies has contributed to the success of the project.
Because the grass must be mowed everyday, maintenance will be conducted in the early afternoon and will not interrupt the Rowdies’ practice time or open recreation time.
Hours students can access the recreation field:
Open recreation times:
4-7 p.m. Mondays
6-8 p.m. Tuesdays
4-7 p.m. Sundays
USFSP soccer club practices:
6-8 p.m. Thursdays
Intramural sports:
4-8 p.m. Wednesdays
