Dec. 18, 2009
BERKELEY - With construction in progress at the site of the Student-Athlete High Performance Center (SAHPC) just outside of Memorial Stadium's historic west wall, the California rugby program draws closer each day to enjoying the benefits of a 142,000-square-foot facility that will house state-of-the-art training, an applied sports science and medicine complex for year-round access by student-athletes.
Scheduled for completion in Sept. of 2011, the new training complex at the SAHPC will also feature academic and nutrition centers, meeting and locker rooms, and coaches offices.
"It will be the best rugby-training domicile in the world," said head coach
Jack Clark of the team's future headquarters.
Excitement from a rugby standpoint, however, is tempered by how construction at the SAHPC site and Memorial Stadium will affect the team's home competition and training venue, Witter Rugby Field. Though temporary, these factors have an impact on the rugby team's home matches that will span a period of multiple seasons.
As preparations continue to launch construction activities in the stadium itself, parking availability and spectator seating have both been reduced as the Bears prepare to kick off the 2010 season. There will be no spectator seating on the north sideline and fans should leave extra time in case they are affected by the parking reduction at the lot on Centennial Drive.
These changes also prevent the team's ability to use the area on the north side of the field, a primary training area also referred to as "the lab."
"We're disappointed by the effect this construction will have, short term, on our rugby program, but we're cognizant that long term, this is all an improvement for Cal rugby and our University as a whole," coach Clark said.
"Certainly there will be some challenges for our team as Witter Rugby Field experiences the impact of this construction. As we always have, we intend to face them head on, ensure the best experience for our players and fans, and support our University."
Fans and supporters can now find the 2010 schedule available at CalBears.com. Cal rugby would like to thank all its supporters for their patience.
