New athletic additions at Aurora U. ‘had to happen’ – Chicago Tribune

Aurora University Athletic Director Jim Hamad has this theory about where sports facilities fit in the scheme of things at a school.

"For those people who understand athletics, they're sort of the front porch to the university," Hamad said. "People that come to visit campuses that are athletes look at the facilities and amenities, and while every area of a campus is important, athletics are seen the most by those outside the school."

Earlier this spring, Aurora University broke ground in Montgomery and has been working ever since to add new athletic facilities to an estimated 90-acre parcel at Jericho Road and Edgelawn Drive, about a mile south of the main Aurora University campus.

Spartan Athletic Park calls for two phases of work, with the first planned for completion this fall. It includes a softball stadium with a turf outfield and dirt infield, a soccer and lacrosse stadium, locker rooms and 500 parking spaces. A wrought iron tree-lined gateway entrance will welcome visitors as well as a plaza, university officials said.

Phase two of the estimated $18 million, privately funded project will add a baseball stadium and a track and field area, with the possible addition of some tennis courts. Work on the second phase will begin in the spring.

Hamad said that given the growth of the student body at Aurora University, including its student athletes, the new additions were something "that had to happen."

"Regarding our athletic program, we've had a run of phenomenal success recently and it really is time to take things to the next level and not only match the facilities of our competition but exceed them," Hamad said. "We're looking at an enrollment of almost 5,000 students next year and about 700 of them will be student athletes. We wanted facilities that were more high end and to change our profile and catch up to the other schools."

Steve McFarland, vice president for university communications, said discussions regarding new facilities began as far back as 2012 and that the school has had to get along with makeshift options including playing baseball and soccer at off-campus park district facilities.

McFarland said the project really jump-started once school officials found the right site.

"Back in 2013, we were looking at about a 35-acre lot that belonged to the West Aurora School District but during the meetings we had with residents in the area, there were concerns about building facilities there and, in the end, there wasn't enough room for what we needed or to expand," McFarland said.

Space and future expansion issues changed after the school bought a vacant nine-hole golf course, formerly known as Wolf Run, along with a land parcel that had been owned by a church.

Aurora University Director of Projects Jessica Tooley said the athletic facility initiative "has a lot of stakeholders" and that efforts are being made "to make sure there is no room for error."

"The key to this project has been the communication we've had that's been at the forefront of this project," she said. "We're working with over a dozen subcontractors and things have gone smoothly. And the neighbors here say they are happy and feel this will add value."

John Cox, who lives at 1625 Jericho Road with his daughter, said he moved in two years ago and neither he nor his daughter "has any problems with (the work on the athletic facilities) except it makes a lot of dust."

Neighbor Becky Murphy, who lives at 1661 Jericho, said she has been in her home 25 years and that the area "needs an up-kick."

"We're very sports-minded and I'm thrilled about this and feel it's a good use of the land," Murphy said. "People around here are happy and hope it adds value."

Mohammed Adi, owner of the Al's Convenience and Tobacco store directly across from the project site, said the work "is something we've been waiting for."

"This is something that will bring more people here into Aurora Township, and it's something very positive that has received great support," he said.

Athletes like junior softball pitcher Britni Wilson, 21, from Olympia, Wash., said even though she will play in the new stadium only one season, she feels like "we're finally catching up to the other schools."

"This is going to showcase our teams and give us more exposure," Wilson said. "It will also be good for the fans and future athletes looking at our school."

David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

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New athletic additions at Aurora U. 'had to happen' - Chicago Tribune