For the longest time, Ateneo’s sports facilities have been the object of many calls for rehabilitation. Being an academic institution, however, the school has had to prioritize the allocation of funds for the construction and renovation of academic buildings.

Finally, after two years of waiting, planning and the acquisition of funds by the University Athletics Office (UAO), the Erenchun Field will be totally renovated this summer. Under the guidance of UAO Director Ricky Palou, the plan for the gradual renovation of the college football fields has reached its final stages prior to implementation.

“The Board of Trustees is currently reviewing all the details of the project. Being a very expensive project, the board wants to ensure that all the details and expenses are in order,” said Emmanuel Fernandez of the UAO.

The multi-million peso project is sponsored by the Lorenzo family―the same family who enabled to construction of the Moro Lorenzo Sports Complex. The Lorenzos will also receive the football field’s naming rights for sponsoring the project.

Three main phases constitute the makeover process. Phase one would be the transformation of Erenchun into an all-weather field. This type of field utilizes real Bermuda grass and has its own drainage and sprinkler systems similar to golf courses. The UAO wants to use first-generation Bermuda grass imported from Thailand because later-generation grass tends to discolor and is of lower quality.

“It’s the first field of its kind in the Ateneo, hence it should really be of high quality,” Fernandez stressed.

There will also be initial asphalt outlining an oval track around the field. In order to meet the standard requirements for the length of the oval track, the road to JSEC and CTC coming from Gate Three will be moved back. Fernandez pointed out that the oval track is to be used primarily for training purposes of all Ateneo teams, especially the Track and Field teams, which were previously forced to train off-campus.

Phase two of the renovation features the laying of tiles for the oval track. “With the help of the Office of University Development and Alumni Resources, we are looking for sponsors who will help us acquire the tiles needed for the oval track,” said Benjo Afuang, the College Athletics Coordinator. The third and final phase would be the installation of floodlights over the newly renovated field, which will be done in the long run.

Once the go signal is given by the Board of Trustees, the UAO will begin the renovation process during April and plant the Bermuda grass by June in time for the rainy season. If everything goes as planned, the Erenchun Field will be completely made over by December this year.

“Timing is very critical for the field renovation. If things don’t follow as scheduled, the renovation will have to wait until next summer so the grow-in period is timed with the rainy season,” explained Fernandez.

The Ocampo Field is also included in the plans for renovation but lack of funds will have to make it wait for its turn. The UAO plans to use artificial turf to cut maintenance costs for the smaller yet still standard sized field.

Other than the football fields, the Blue Eagle Gym and the baseball field near Gate Three will also be renovated in due time. These rehabilitation efforts are much needed in Ateneo’s desire to excel in all its athletic endeavors.