Progress being made on Lee’s Multi-Sport Complex
All photos by Shay Maclean
Lee University is constructing a massive athletic facility on the north end of campus.
Set to become the home of Lee’s track and field teams, the Multi-Sport Complex will consist of an eight-lane track wrapped around a turf field — equipped with everything needed to host NCAA sanctioned events.
“There are two separate buildings that will be the main entrance to the facility,” said Vice President of Operations Cole Strong. “The larger of the two buildings will be locker rooms, a large storage and training area and two offices. Across from that will be the ticket booth, concession area and public restrooms.”
The turf field, installed mid-September, is the same turf installed at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The field will be lined for soccer and lacrosse. It will also host intramural sports such as, flag football, ultimate frisbee and rugby.
The complex’s track facilities will now allow the track and field team at Lee to have a central location on campus to meet for practice. In the past, the team has held practice at Bradley County High School and Cleveland Middle School.
Caleb Morgan, the head coach of track and field and cross-country, said, “[We] will have a lot more team unity. The biggest struggle [for the team] is everyone meeting at different locations. There are only certain places in Cleveland that athletes can practice.”
Morgan also said having facilities on campus will tremendously help the team bring in talented athletes. He said the biggest downfall for recruiting track and field athletes is not having a facility to call home.
“This facility will be a true game-changer for track-and-field in this region,” Morgan said. “We have waited a long time for a place to call our own, and we really appreciate the cooperation we have had over the years from both the county and city school system. Seeing this venue take shape is a dream come true.”
In the 2018-2019 season, the Lee track and field program swept all four GSC conference championships in track and cross-country. Since entering the GSC in 2015, the program has won 14 conference championships, the most recent being a men’s and women’s victory at the inaugural indoor track and field championships for the conference.
The Multi-Sport Complex will be a shared facility with Bradley County Schools. Ocoee Middle School will also use the facility to host its soccer and track teams.
According to Strong, “This partnership will be a big win for Lee students, Lee athletics and the community.”
“This is a wonderful example of public-private cooperation,” said Lee Chancellor Paul Conn. “A private university, along a city streetscape, with county schools, all working together.”
Strong also believes this facility has the potential to have an impact on the entire Chattanooga region. To compete at a premier facility, athletes travel to schools such as Vanderbilt University in Nashville or the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
“We would be very open to hosting events outside of Bradley County and Lee events,” said Strong. “That helps build the brand and reputation of Lee, so we consider that a win-win.”
Installation of the track will begin by October, and construction is expected to be completed by November, weather permitting.
