The grand opening of the UC Health West Chester Hospital Fieldhouse will be held 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, June 22 at the Fieldhouse. The public and members of the news media are invited to join the celebration.
“We are extremely proud to serve West Chester Township and all of Butler County, and we look forward to the even greater sense of community that the UC Health West Chester Hospital Fieldhouse will bring to this region,” said UC Health President & CEO Richard P. Lofgren, MD.
The fieldhouse was made possible by a $1 million partnership with UC Health and a $500,000 capital grant from the state of Ohio awarded for the project’s ability to serve as a positive economic driver for the region.
“Thanks to a partnership with UC Health and the support of our local legislators, this project will be a great addition to the Athletic Complex and a positive economic impact to the region,” said Gregory T. Amend, President, MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners.
Since the opening of the Athletic Field Complex in 2014, it has provided over $12 million dollars in economic impact in both 2015 and 2016. 2017 numbers are not yet available.
In addition to UC Health West Chester Hospital, the State of Ohio, and the Butler County Visitors Bureau, other partners at the complex include West Chester Township, the Ohio Department of Transportation and The National Park Service.
The budget for the entire project, including the cost of the Fieldhouse, site work, parking, landscaping, and all utilities totaled $3,230,000. The cost of the Fieldhouse itself was $1,367,000.
The building encompasses 6,137 square feet under roof, including porch areas, with 2,855 square feet of interior space. The most significant interior spaces include a First Aid Station staffed by UC Health, a second story Press Box for tournaments or reservable public space at other times, a concession stand staffed for tournaments, and modern restrooms.
The site also features a 1-acre great lawn, 3,500 square-foot outdoor viewing terrace, and over 400 new paved parking spaces for convenient parking.
The Athletic Field Complex expects to welcome approximately 100,000 athletes and spectators during the 2018 season with the currently scheduled 17 tournaments. This attendance figure does not include fields regularly reserved for practice during the week.
The criteria architect for this design build contract was McGill Smith Punshon and the contractor was Conger Construction Company, Inc.