{"id":111485,"date":"2026-10-19T19:31:59","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T19:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/?p=111485"},"modified":"2026-10-19T22:36:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T22:36:24","slug":"ribbon-cutting-of-uri-outdoor-track-and-field-facility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/ribbon-cutting-of-uri-outdoor-track-and-field-facility\/","title":{"rendered":"Ribbon cutting of URI outdoor track and field facility"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Oct. 19, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday, Oct. 21, <\/strong>University of Rhode Island President Marc Parlange and Vice President and Director of Athletics Patrick Lyons will join elected officials, members of URI\u2019s Board of Trustees and URI faculty, staff, and students\u00a0for a ribbon cutting ceremony tocelebrate the University\u2019s new outdoor track and field facility. The ceremony marks a major milestone in planned upgrades to URI\u2019s athletic facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"panoramic
A panoramic view of URI\u2019s nine-lane track. (URI Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The new URI outdoor track and field facility will provide a state-of-the-art competition venue for URI student-athletes\u2014including the University\u2019s championship-winning men\u2019s and women\u2019s outdoor track teams\u2014in addition to serving as a community resource for Rhode Islanders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first-class facility is part of a $65.8 million Rhode Island Capital Plan investment in championship-caliber facilities at the state\u2019s flagship university. The funding also includes upgrades for Meade Stadium, Tootell Aquatic Center, Beck Field, the URI Softball Complex, and URI Soccer Complex.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"barrier
A barrier for steeplechase races on the new track. (URI Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The groundbreaking ceremony<\/a> for the track and field facility was held on Oct. 16, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHO:<\/strong> URI President Marc Parlange; Patrick Lyons, vice president and director of athletics; Laurie Feit-Melnick, women\u2019s track and field coach; Trent Baltzell, men\u2019s track and field coach; elected officials; URI Board of Trustees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT:<\/strong> Ribbon cutting celebration for the University of Rhode Island\u2019s new outdoor track and field facility, followed by a reception.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"shotput\/discus
The shotput\/discus pad and netting is one of the many features of URI\u2019s outdoor track and field facility. (URI Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

WHEN:          <\/strong>Wednesday, Oct. 21, 10-11 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHERE:<\/strong>        5 West Alumni Avenue, Kingston, RI 02881<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONTACT<\/strong>: Neil Nachbar, URI Marketing and Communications, 401-874-4946, neil_nachbar@uri.edu<\/a> to make coverage arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FACILITY FACTS AND FIGURES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n