The new-look Hayward Field, with design direction offered by Oregon architecture graduate and key Nike shoe designer Tinker Hatfield, will expand to hold 30,000 spectators and create new spaces, such as a research building that triples the size of a current structure for the same use.
“With Tinker Hatfield’s magnificent design vision, Hayward Field is sure to set a new standard as the home for athletes across the world,” Vin Lananna, the university’s associate athletic director for Olympic development, says in a statement.
The privately funded project—which still needs an expected approval from the UO Board of Trustees—redoes the west grandstand with a flowing modern design.
The project replaces the Bowerman Sports Science Clinic with one three times the size on the same footprint. The historic east grandstand will likely remain.
Currently Hayward Field, which will celebrate 100 years in 2021, the same year it hosts the worldwide event, seats roughly 10,500 and needs an expansion in order to host the 2021 meet. Hayward Field lost out on hosting the 2019 event.
Local media report that the foundation in charge of the project—which will lease the property for the duration of the renovation and abide by public contracting laws even though no university operating money will be used for the project—is already working with Portland-based architectural firm SRG Partnership and Portland based contractor Hoffman Construction for the work.
Expect construction work to start in July 2016, following the U.S. Olympic Trials, with the bulk of the work done in time for the 2017 NCAA event.
Tim Newcomb is Engineering News-Record’s Pacific Northwest contributor. He writes for Popular Mechanics, Sports Illustrated and more. You can follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb or visit his website here.
