UJ and JPS Break Ground on Renovation Project

On October 31, 2020, representatives from University of Jamestown and Jamestown Public Schools, as well as their community partners, broke ground on their $11.5-million football field and track renovation project.

The community project will include a new turf football field, a nine-lane, 400-meter track, a new press box, seating, plaza, concourse, lighting and more. It is scheduled to open in the fall of 2021 and will be home to University of Jamestown and Jamestown High School Football and Track and Field.

“This is a project we’ve dreamed of for many years,” explained Dr. Polly Peterson, University of Jamestown President. “We are extremely grateful for the donors who are making it happen…This is an opportunity that Jamestown has been waiting for many years—the opportunity for the public school, the community, and the university to work together. Because we all know that together, we are better.”

A major announcement at the groundbreaking was the reveal of a $1-million donation from First Community Credit Union. “We are extremely grateful that the commitment we have made to this community, they’ve felt equally passionate about,” commented Dr. Peterson.

With this donation, $9.2 million of the $11.5 million total has been raised so far for the project.

“We are thrilled to receive this donation from First Community Credit Union,” said Brett Moser, VP of Development and Alumni Relations at University of Jamestown. “It marks a historic moment for our community, as it is one of the largest corporate donations given in the history of Jamestown. We are thankful for FCCU’s continued support and dedication to our students and the young people in our community.”

Lead donor on the project, Dr. Jo-Ida Hansen, was unable to be at the groundbreaking in person. As such, Dr. Peterson explained that Dr. Hansen provided a statement commenting on the project. In it, Dr. Hansen expanded on why this project was, in part, so important for her to contribute to:

“I grew up in Jamestown during a time when no athletic opportunities were available for young women through the school system. I would have loved competing for a spot on the basketball team as a feisty point guard or as setter for the volleyball team…My own lack of opportunity to be an athlete has fueled my interest in supporting the athletic experiences, of the young women and young men who are Blue Jays as well as the women and men participating in Jimmie athletics, at all levels—whether intercollegiate or intramural.”

Construction will begin immediately on Mon., Nov. 2.