KINGSTON, R.I. - The University of Rhode Island will hold an official groundbreaking ceremony for its new outdoor track and field facility on Thursday, Oct. 16.

The ceremony will be held at the site of the planned facility along West Alumni Avenue on the Kingston Campus, beginning at 9 a.m.

State elected leaders in attendance will include Gov. Dan McKee, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Sen. Susan Sosnowski, and Rep. Carol Hagan-McEntee. URI President Marc Parlange, Vice President and Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn and members of the men's and women's track and field programs also will attend.

The new track and field facility is one of several URI athletic facilities that will undergo significant improvements as part of a $65.8 million Rhode Island Capital Plan investment in championship-caliber facilities at the state's flagship university. Signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee in 2024, the RICAP funding also includes upgrades for Meade Stadium (football and women's lacrosse), Tootell Aquatic Center, Beck Field (baseball), URI Softball Complex, and URI Soccer Complex. The funding from the state is spread over three years. The University is raising an additional $20 million to support enhancements to the facilities to transform the student-athlete experience, offer enhanced fan experiences, and provide expanded community access.

The new track and field facility - which is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026 - will include nine running lanes with full pour track surfacing that will be certified as an IAAF Class 2 dedicated track facility. Also included will be multiple jump runways. There will be two long/triple jump runways with four sand pits; two pole vault runways with four pole vault boxes; and two high jump areas. The facility, through the work of - which is being completed by Populus and CHA Consulting, - also will include throwing areas for the hammer, javelin, shot put, and discus.