˿Ƶ Tech held a ribbon cutting for its newly renovated track and field facility May 9. The new track enables ˿Ƶ Tech to host track meets and will enhance local economic development through increased visitors to the region.
Renovation of the 40-year-old John F. Moehl Stadium and track began in 2021 and culminated in the ribbon cutting attended by the ˿Ƶ Tech community, local representatives, and donors.
“This renovated stadium is heralding a new era for our student-athletes and will benefit everyone at ˿Ƶ Tech, the broader Klamath Falls community, as well as the entire region,” ˿Ƶ Tech President Dr. Nagi Naganathan said at the event. “When we started this project, we made a commitment: this is not just an ˿Ƶ Tech asset; this is an asset for the community so that our students and our community members can enjoy this, and we will use this space not just for athletics but to build community in Klamath Falls.”
˿Ƶ Tech successfully held its first home track and field meet in 12 years in late March and is hosting the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championships May 10-11.
The ribbon cutting also included remarks from Randy Shaw (Owner of Coldwell Banker), Mike Anderson (˿Ƶ Tech Track and Field Head Coach), Hunter Drops (Assistant Coach and ˿Ƶ Tech alumnus), Katie Mull (Biology-Health Sciences student-athlete), Randy Cox (CEO of Klamath County Economic Development Association and an ˿Ƶ Tech alumnus), and Dr. Ken Fincher (Vice President of University Advancement at ˿Ƶ Tech).
Coaches Anderson and Drops shared that the enhanced facility will benefit the recruitment of new student-athletes. They hope more students will be encouraged to attend meets and cheer on ˿Ƶ Tech’s teams in the renovated stadium.
Major accomplishments from the project’s launch to its conclusion included:
- removing and replacing the track and various field event spaces,
- landscaping the field and upgrading the storm infrastructure,
- renovating of stadium press box, restrooms, and concession stand, and
- replacing the stadium exterior siding and canopy and refreshing concrete walls.
The project cost was just under $3.5 million and was funded through grants, the ˿Ƶ Sports Lottery, the State of ˿Ƶ bond for athletic purposes, Athletic department funds, and 130 donors. The May 9 ribbon cutting celebrated the fundraising success and dedicated five spaces as part of the event in recognition and appreciation of major contributions to the campaign. They include:
- Lois Ann Stilwell Memorial Press Box, John and Lois Stilwell.
- Pole Vault, Wendt Family Foundation.
- High Jump, Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA), American Rescue Plan Act.
- Thrower’s Corner, Klamath County.
- Long Jump, ˿Ƶ Tech Foundation.
Representing KCEDA at the event, Cox said the revitalization project has created a world-class track and field facility, which will provide various economic benefits to the region.
“The outdoor platform provides a venue for broader regional and even national track and field events, sports camps, and community activities, creating more travel and tourism to our area where visitors will take advantage of our 300-plus days of sunshine every year, the local dining, local lodging, and certainly get to experience the Klamath Basin,” Cox said.
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