A lot of athletes in Ypsilanti are going to have a warm place to play, even in the dead of winter, now that Eastern Michigan University has started work on its new indoor practice facility.

The $3.9 million project features a 1,000-square-foot welcome center and 86,000-square-feet of playing space. That athletic area is versatile enough to support a number of different sports.

"It provides a state-of-the-art facility that can be used by all of our teams," says Walter Kraft, vice president of communications for Eastern Michigan University. "It's big enough for soccer, football, golf. All of our teams can use it."

The teams currently practice on fields near Rynearson Stadium. This practice facility will occupy one of the fields near the corner of Huron River and Westview drives. It will also be available for use to local community sports teams.

The project, which is creating 100 jobs, is expected to finish by next spring. BEI Associates of Detroit designed the building.

Source: Walter Kraft, vice president of communications for Eastern Michigan University
Writer: Jon Zemke