Ribbon cutting planned for new athletic field

Bethany Lutheran College will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new all-turf, multipurpose athletic field on Wednesday, October 9, 2019. The event will occur at approximately 4:50 p.m. prior to men’s and women’s soccer games vs. Martin Luther College. Greater Mankato Growth Ambassadors will be on hand to assist with the event.

The new field is positioned on the site of Bethany’s former baseball field near the corner of Marsh and Division Streets in Mankato. The field is part of a larger, ongoing renovation of the College’s athletic complex.

Robert W. Carlstrom Company of Mankato managed the project. Other companies involved include:

• FieldTurf Corporation installed the artificial turf playing surface. FieldTurf has more than 20,000 installations worldwide, including 6,500 in North America.
• BLK Electric (Mankato) was the electrical contractor responsible for relocation of electrical utilities.
• Holtmeier Construction (Mankato) provided excavation services.
  Musco Lighting fit the field with new, state-of-the-art lighting.
• Seating & Athletic Facility Enterprises LLC is installed new bleachers.
• American Fence erected new perimeter fencing.

In addition to the field construction, site improvements on the athletic complex also occurred during the construction including a storm water retention pond near the intersection of Division and Mulberry Streets, and a new parking lot at the corner of Marsh and Division Streets.

The athletic field covers 95,880 square feet with a price tag of $1,600,000 which included earth moving, base, and the turf. The entire project’s budget was $3,000,000.

Bethany Director of Athletics Don Westphal spoke about the project’s impact for the College, “A turfed athletic field is another element in a long line of physical plant enhancements that indicate Bethany’s commitment to enrich the collegiate experience of our student body.”

And Westphal remarked the impact of the new field will extend beyond the athletic program. “Beyond our Viking soccer teams and other varsity sports, a turf surface will enhance our intramural program and be utilized by numerous students.”