BU Set To Get New Sports Field

BOSTON (CBS) -  Boston University will have a brand new sports field for the fall of 2013, essentially doubling the school's field capacity.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Rod Fritz reports

With a $3 million pledge from New Balance, BU will be able to construct New Balance Field on Babcock Street, located near Nickerson Field.

With the new field BU's field hockey team will be able return to campus, they couldn't practice or play on Nickerson since 2000 when new turf was installed, and Men's Lacrosse will become a varsity sport.

"New Balance Field will be a major addition to our athletic and recreational facilities," school president Robert A. Brown told the school's website. "I am very grateful to New Balance for its leadership and support and to our alumni who have given generously to make this facility a reality. The field will benefit not only our student-athletes and the greater BU community, but it will allow us to expand our very successful NCAA Division 1 athletics program."

The University will break ground for the 110,000-square-foot field this spring. It will include a brick facade and stadium seating for 1,000. A 350-space parking garage will also be built under the field.

New Balance Field will also make it possible for BU to increase the number of intramural sports and bring back club sports that had to move off campus, much like the field hockey team had to.

The total cost of the field and the parking area is estimated at $24 million, according to the school's website.