Since opening its doors in January, the University's new, all-season indoor turf facility is already changing the game for both competition and community on campus.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] - For weeks, snowbanks, ice and blustery winds have persisted across Providence as the city endures the brunt of a New England winter. But inside Brown University's brand-new Penner Field House, students are training, playing and staying active without a single weather worry.
The 76,000-square-foot indoor turf facility, which replaced Meister-Kavan Field at the Erickson Athletic Complex, provides all-season, climate-controlled space for varsity teams, club sports, intramural leagues and recreational users. Before the facility opened in January, outdoor fields at Brown were often unavailable due to rain, snow or extreme temperatures, and indoor practice options were limited.
"Just having the option to play inside, especially when it's freezing outside, is huge - it's something we didn't have before," said senior Joy Okonye, a midfielder on Brown's varsity women's soccer team. "For my teammates and me, we're able to put in extra reps, and it's really fun to see other students playing and enjoying the space at the same time."
Named in recognition of a generous gift from Brown parents Carrie Walton Penner and Greg Penner, the field house is lined for football, lacrosse, soccer and rugby, and equipped with divider curtains that allow the playing surface to be split into multiple sections. The facility also includes approximately 2,500 square feet dedicated to strength and conditioning, giving students additional space for individual workouts and team training.
