Heidelberg breaks ground on Fieldhouse

TIFFIN—Heidelberg University officially broke ground Friday, at the site of its new student Athletics, academic and recreation Center, a $27.4 million donor-funded investment, the Fieldhouse. According to President Rob Huntington, this is something the university was trying to achieve before he was hired. "I remember 15 years ago when I arrived here and heard discussion of this project," Huntington said. "My colleagues shared that they too had wanted something like this to happen for quite some time." By the Fall of 2025, the facility is expected to be open to both students and the community. Captain and goalkeeper of the Heidelberg Women's Soccer Team, Bridgid Enright, said she comes from the small town of Walbridge and appeared in four games with three starts as a freshman. "I am beyond excited for this new facility," said Enright. "The first thing that came to my mind when I heard about the project was that finally, there would be no more 5 am practices." The Fieldhouse is 110,000 square feet and will feature three indoor basketball courts, a 200-meter competition-level track and field space, a turf field for field sports and Marching Band rehearsal, a state-of-the-art training room, and locker rooms. According to Greg Cooper, director of athletics, the facility will also contain classrooms for Exercise Science, Health Science and other similar majors. "Not only will this be a facility for our student-athletes," said Cooper. "But I am proud to share that the facility will also be open to the public, further connecting Heidelberg to its Tiffin community." Cooper continued by sharing his gratitude for the opportunity he was given as the director of athletics, noting it's only his second year and he is proud of what he has helped to achieve. Multiple representatives from the city, county, and even state attended the ceremony and presented various proclamations to the university: Representatives from Congressman Bob Latta, Rep. Gary Click, and Bill Reineke, Representatives from the Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, and Representatives from the Office of US Senator J.D. Vance are just a few. Additionally in attendance were several members of the Heidelberg University Board of Trustees, members of the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce and members of the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership. Associate Vice President for Advancement, Alumni, and Community Relations Ashley Helmstetter encouraged alumni in attendance to take part in Friday and Saturday's Alumni Weekend activities before quoting Enright's speech: "Go Berg!"