Guilford’s campus will get a little prettier next year with the renovation of Armfield Athletic Center. There will be two phases to the renovation; phase one is already paid for by gifts and various donations, phase two is just proposed for the time being with hopes of raising its needed money in the near future.With gifts totaling $1.15 million from the Armfield foundation and two anonymous donors, phase one of the renovation is set to begin sometime in the next month.

First, the existing press box and brick wall will be torn down. Replacing the press box will be 160 stadium-style VIP seats. Behind the stadium seats, a new press box will be erected. It will be three stories high and house new restrooms on ground level, a new press area in level two, and the third floor will be nothing but an open attic space used to film games.

The new wall will be constructed further from the field and run the full length of the playing field. A new entrance archway will also be included in the wall’s construction. The wall, just like the press box, will be built out of brick and iron posts, so while being a new addition, the field will still have the same Georgian style as the rest of Guilford’s architecture.

“They’re really doing it right,” said Matt Grosso, women’s lacrosse Head Coach. “They could have just put something pre-fabricated in there, but what they’re doing is putting the time and effort needed into it.”

With an anonymous donation, a new scoreboard and play-clocks have been moved from phase two to phase one. The new scoreboard will be located in the same area of the complex, but will have a more updated look and features.

Phase two is only proposed for the time being, but Guilford’s administration hopes that the proposal will inspire donations, with the renovations soon beginning. Phase two is estimated to cost approximately $1.2 million.

The addition of stadium lights, artificial turf, and a re-surfaced track are the main improvements included in phase two.

With the addition of lights, more night football and lacrosse games will be played on campus. The artificial surface being proposed is one of green nylon strands on the field that look like grass, with the appearance of dirt being made possible by little black rubber balls. The re-surfaced track is still up in the air; no decision has yet been made on whether to use asphalt or rubber material.

“I’m really excited about phase two; I hope we can do it,” said Grosso. “If we have lights and an artificial surface, there is nothing but a blizzard and lighting storm that can stop us from playing.”

Guilford’s administration is excited to unveil the field next season as we celebrate the 100th season of football. The field is projected to be complete in July, with the unveiling at the first home football game. The complex will still be called Armfield Athletic Center, although the field will be named Appenzeller Field after Herb Appenzeller, longtime athletic director and coach here at Guilford.

“Too bad they had to do it after I leave,” said Corey Haase, a senior offensive lineman. “It will be a lot better for the team and make it easier to play on. Also it will make the campus look whole. I mean one of the first things you see when you turn in is the field, which hasn’t been worked on in 40 years. It’ll go from the worst looking thing on campus to one of the best.