Plans for needed renovations to North Country Field and its surrounding spectator-seating area are under development. Director of Athletics Margie Strait M’73 says, “The project will be undertaken once gifts are available to finance it.” It has three major components, whose total projected cost is $2,500,000:
*Replacement of the turf field, $750,000;
*Construction of an entryway and stadium for spectators, $250,000;
*Creation of an endowment to maintain the facility in perpetuity and replace the turf whenever necessary: $1,500,000.
The project will bring a variety of benefits to the St. Lawrence community, chief among them an edge in recruiting of student-athletes.
Fran Grembowicz, women’s head field hockey coach, cites additional plusses:
“The project will benefit intramural and club teams, as well as the varsity teams. It will also help spectators, giving them a much better venue to view all the sports in a safer and more comfortable environment.” Strait says an additional benefit is to recycle the old North Country Field surface to Leithead Field House.
Depending upon how the fund-raising develops, it is the University’s intention to recognize two legendary retired coaches by naming the new stadium, which will be modeled on the neighboring Leckonby Stadium, in their honor. Don Leet was head men’s lacrosse coach for over 30 years, and Dottie Hall was the head women’s lacrosse and field hockey coach and an athletics administrator during her 34-year tenure at St. Lawrence.
Donors who wish to contribute to the North Country Field renovation project may contact Andy Whittier, 315-229-5511 or
awhittier@stlawu.edu, or any established contact in the University’s development office.
