Pharmacy college to add athletic facility to Albany campus

ALBANY The Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is adding a $2.5 million athletic facility to its campus.

The facility will take two years to complete.

The project includes a new synthetic turf soccer field and a rubberized six-lane running track. The soccer field will now meet NCAA guidelines. The first phase has begun and is to be completed by the fall.

The second phase includes new lights and a scoreboard, a long-jump pit, bleachers, press box, entrance and signs. It is to be completed in 2013.

"This much anticipated renovation will be a tremendous asset to our student athletes and coaches for both practice and games," college President James Gozzo said. "It will also benefit the rest of the campus and the neighboring community by giving the college the ability to host a wider range of athletic and social events."

The school has transformed and expanded considerably in recent years, transitioning from a trade school into a more traditional college campus. Dorms have been built or renovated to house students and older campus buildings have been modernized, including a new dining hall.

In November, the school launched a $50 million capital campaign. The money will be used to build the endowment and fund scholarships as well as to expand academics and facilities.

The college which fields men's and women's teams in soccer, basketball and cross-country is a member of the Hudson Valley Athletic Conference and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.

The school was founded in 1881 and has a satellite campus in Colchester, Vt.

swaldman@timesunion.com 518-454-5080 @518Schools

Read the rest here:
Pharmacy college to add athletic facility to Albany campus