Coastal Carolina University considering new soccer facility

Coastal Carolina is one step closer to a brand new soccer facility.

CCU’s Board of Trustees Finance Committee on Thursday approved the first step to build a new soccer complex on campus.

The capital project plan, which is estimated to cost about $5 million, will go to the full board for approval Friday.

The complex will likely include a field for athletes, structures for fans and media and a support facility, as well as men’s and women’s locker rooms. CCU is looking to house the new facility near the new tennis complex across U.S. 501.

“If you’ve been to our current soccer facility, you know it’s currently a field and some bleachers,” said Stacie Bowie, vice president of finance and administration. “Our student athletes don’t have any amenities.”

The board’s full approval doesn’t guarantee the soccer complex will come to fruition, however; the vote just gives the school approval to hire an architect to develop designs, Bowie said.

CCU could still decide against the new stadium later, Bowie added.

The $5 million cost is based on estimates by Coastal staff and are not based on any architect’s estimate, said Carlos Johnson, gubernatorial designee on the board.

“We have to approve a capital plan before we can take those steps and find out the true cost of the complex,” he said.

The finance committee met in closed session to discuss contractual matters regarding an architect for the proposed stadium for about 20 minutes before the vote. Natasha Hanna, board member, requested the session before giving her approval.

“I completely support the stadium, the soccer complex, everything, just as long as we have the money there to do it,” she said.

CCU already has $5 million lined up for the project.

The committee voted to ask the Student Housing Foundation – which operates exclusively to build and manage student housing – for a $3.5 million gift to help pay for the soccer complex. The full board will vote on that motion Friday.

The foundation already agreed to the fund transfer and is just waiting on full board approval, said Wyatt Henderson, board chairman. The housing foundation already has enough money set aside for its projects and upkeep, which makes it viable to give the $3.5 million for the new stadium, Henderson said.

Coastal also received a $1.5 million gift earlier this year from a parent that will be put toward the new complex, according to CCU President David DeCenzo.

The new facility is necessary for CCU’s current athletes and future recruits, according to Matt Hogue, director of athletics. Coastal’s men’s soccer team was ranked fourth in College Soccer News' Top 30 National Poll, but the student athletes don’t have amenities near the field.

A new facility with lockers, media seats and places for fans should also draw in better recruits, Hogue added.

“If you have a new facility in any sport, it’s going to improve the chances of committing a top recruit,” he said. “There’s no question a good facility will bring us a better student athlete and improve our already impressive teams.”

This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 4:05 PM with the headline "Coastal Carolina University considering new soccer facility."