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Ribbon cutting of URI outdoor track and field facility

Event marks milestone in URI athletic facility upgrades

overhead shot of state-of-the-art outdoor track and field facility
An overhead shot of URI’s new state-of-the-art outdoor track and field facility. (URI Photo/Ashton Robertson)

Oct. 19, 2026

On Wednesday, Oct. 21, University of Rhode Island President Marc Parlange and Vice President and Director of Athletics Patrick Lyons will join elected officials, members of URI’s Board of Trustees and URI faculty, staff, and students for a ribbon cutting ceremony tocelebrate the University’s new outdoor track and field facility. The ceremony marks a major milestone in planned upgrades to URI’s athletic facilities.

panoramic view of nine-lane track.
A panoramic view of URI’s nine-lane track. (URI Photo)

The new URI outdoor track and field facility will provide a state-of-the-art competition venue for URI student-athletes—including the University’s championship-winning men’s and women’s outdoor track teams—in addition to serving as a community resource for Rhode Islanders.

The first-class facility is part of a $65.8 million Rhode Island Capital Plan investment in championship-caliber facilities at the state’s flagship university. The funding also includes upgrades for Meade Stadium, Tootell Aquatic Center, Beck Field, the URI Softball Complex, and URI Soccer Complex.

barrier for steeplechase races
A barrier for steeplechase races on the new track. (URI Photo)

The groundbreaking ceremony for the track and field facility was held on Oct. 16, 2025.

WHO: URI President Marc Parlange; Patrick Lyons, vice president and director of athletics; Laurie Feit-Melnick, women’s track and field coach; Trent Baltzell, men’s track and field coach; elected officials; URI Board of Trustees

WHAT: Ribbon cutting celebration for the University of Rhode Island’s new outdoor track and field facility, followed by a reception.

shotput/discus pad and netting
The shotput/discus pad and netting is one of the many features of URI’s outdoor track and field facility. (URI Photo)

WHEN:          Wednesday, Oct. 21, 10-11 a.m.

WHERE:        5 West Alumni Avenue, Kingston, RI 02881

CONTACT: Neil Nachbar, URI Marketing and Communications, 401-874-4946, neil_nachbar@uri.edu to make coverage arrangements.

FACILITY FACTS AND FIGURES

  • Nine 48″ wide lanes with full pour track surfacing that will be certified as an IAAF Class 3 certified dedicated track facility
  • Multiple jump runways (two long/triple jump runways with four sand pits, two pole vault runways with four pole vault boxes, two high jump areas)
  • Separate throwing facility for hammer, javelin, shot put, and discus
  • New 200-capacity aluminum bleacher grandstand with accessible lift to a new press box
  • New digital display scoreboard
  • Dedicated track storage room
  • Shared restroom building with the soccer facility
  • New lands and grounds support building