Dartmouth to defer full renovation of Memorial Field’s West Stands

Dartmouth College Office of Public Affairs • Press Release
Posted 12/08/08 • Media Contact: Sue Knapp • (603) 646-3661 

Dartmouth has decided to defer the full renovation of the West Stands of Memorial Field, home of the Dartmouth track and football programs. The College will address immediate maintenance needs of the stands during the spring and summer of 2009 so the West Stands will be ready for next fall’s season.

The full renovation of the West Stands was originally scheduled for November 2008-August 2009. The decision to defer is due to the current global economic downturn, which is impacting Dartmouth, as well as many other institutions.

In discussing the decision, Provost Barry Scherr said, “Given the current financial circumstances, Dartmouth, like most other higher education institutions, has been looking at all of its capital projects for opportunities to reduce expenses. We will continue to invest in the maintenance of the West Stands so that fans can watch the teams compete again next fall. And we’ll return to the full renovation plan when the environment is more favorable.”

At its November meeting, the Dartmouth Board of Trustees asked the administration to review options for proceeding with the full renovation of the West Stands and make a recommendation. The Board subsequently approved the administration’s recommendation to defer the project.

Scherr and Executive Vice President Adam Keller announced on Nov. 13 the status of various construction projects in a letter to the Dartmouth community. In that letter, they outlined the following:

• Scheduled for completion: the Class of 1978 Life Sciences Complex, the Tuck School Living and Learning Complex and the Michael J. 1979 and Cynthia Ginn 1980 Biondi Ballpark.
• Delayed to assess the feasibility of moving forward: Visual Arts Center, the renovation of the West Stands at Memorial Field and Buchanan Hall.
• Finish planning for projects that require additional financial resources: Class of 1953 Commons and the C. Everett Koop Medical Science Complex.
• Defer where sufficient funding is clearly not in place: the replacement of Thayer dining hall and the parking lot on Route 120.