Some Kessel Athletics Complex improvements already in use

Most of the new-and-improved facilities at the Kessel Athletic Complex at Pitt-Bradford are now open and being used by athletes and their fans.

The $2.68 million construction project was started last fall, and almost all of the new facilities are open. However, due to heavy rain last fall, the softball field will not be ready for use until next spring.

Peter Buchheit, director of facilities management, had cautioned at the onset of the project that opening the field would depend on the grass-growing season of Fall 2011. Rhett Kennedy, director of auxiliary services at Pitt-Bradford, said that the field will be ready once new grass grows in the outfield.

The rest of the improvements are in use already. They include a new concession stand, restrooms, media box, field lights, scoreboard and storage for the existing baseball field; new restrooms, locker room and storage added to an existing facilities management building; two new parking lots; and paving Wagner Avenue and extending the Community Parks Trail along the complex.

“The only thing that was delayed was paving,” Kennedy said. He explained that the rain in the fall led to the decision to postpone paving until this spring. Kennedy added that while paving could have been done despite the rain, a desire for high quality influenced the choice to wait.

The old field lights from the baseball field were sent to be installed at Callahan Park.

Dr. Livingston Alexander, president of Pitt-Bradford, thanked Sen. Joseph Scarnati, R-Brockway, and Rep. Marty Causer, R-Turtlepoint, for their efforts in securing $2.5 million through the state of Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.  He also commended Sara Andrews and Debbie Huston of the Office of Economic and Community Development for lending their project development expertise to the venture and thanked Mayor Tom Riel for his support.  

Habiterra Architecture and Landscape Architecture, P.C. of Jamestown, N.Y., designed the complex. Cummins Construction, Scobell, Kronenwetter Electric, Allied Fire Protection, ICM and several subcontractors all participated in construction.

The improvements are not only beneficial to Pitt-Bradford’s athletes and their fans, but to a number of community sports teams. The baseball field and tennis facility is also home to the Bradford Area High School teams. Other users of the complex include the McKean County Legion Baseball League, Bradford Legion Baseball League, Alle-Catt Baseball League, Bradford Youth Soccer, Smethport Youth Soccer, Community Softball and Midget Football.

Many people have noticed the improvements, including people from the high school who complimented the concessions and restroom facilities Kennedy said. Another improvement is the addition of 115 new parking spaces, which means visitors to the complex no longer have to park along West Washington Street or Campus Drive.

A finishing touch to the Kessel Athletic Complex renovation project will be installation of new bleachers throughout the complex.

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