IMAGES OF DRYSDALE FIELD RENOVATION PLANS

Aug. 22, 2007

August 22 Photo Gallery

August 29 Photo Gallery: The Excavation Begins!

September 12 Photo Gallery: Dugouts Taking Shape

October 2 Photo Gallery: Foundations in Place

October 30 Photo Gallery: Bricks and Concrete

November 14 Photo Gallery: All-Access!

November 20 Photo Gallery: Game Operations Booth

January 21 Photo Gallery: Views from Welsh-Ryan Arena

April 23 Photo Gallery: Play Ball! Images from April 20, 2008 game against Purdue

EVANSTON, Ill. -- On the morning of August 13, a backhoe drove into Sharon J. Drysdale Field and swiftly knocked down the dugouts while a construction team sawed through and removed the main grandstand bleachers and backstop fence. Renovations to the ballpark now are underway, and will be completed for the 2008 season.

"This project has come to fruition through the great support of the softball community and hours of work from many people," head coach Kate Drohan said. "Their contributions are allowing us to complete all phases of the new Sharon J. Drysdale Field project this summer."

The first stage of the renovations involved the removal of the old dugouts, backstop and grandstands. Drainage will be installed for the next stage, which is the construction of expanded and sunken dugouts down both lines.

In the coming weeks, a new backstop and enclosed brick stadium will be built, all while the field still is in perfect shape for use during fall practice.

Aug. 29 UPDATE: Excavations have begun in earnest for the sunken dugouts. Check out the Aug. 29 photo gallery at the top of this page to view the progress.

Sept. 12 UPDATE: The dugout foundations are quickly taking shape. Check out the Sept. 12 photo gallery at the top of this page to view the progress.

Oct. 2 UPDATE: Concrete foundations are in place for both dugouts and the backstop, while work is beginning on the permanent seating portion of the renovations.

Oct. 30 UPDATE: Bricks have been laid on both dugouts and a portion of the permanent seating wall, while work on drainage nears completion.

Nov. 14 UPDATE: An extended, all-access look at the Sharon J. Drysdale Field renovations including views of the bleachers, stadium and dugouts from a number of never-before-seen angles!

Nov. 20 UPDATE: The game operations booth is lifted into position atop the grandstand.

Jan. 21 UPDATE: Quick update with several views of the renovations from the roof of Welsh-Ryan Arena, taken Jan. 9, 2008.

APRIL 23 UPDATE: Play Ball!! Images from April 20, 2008 game against Purdue.

Check back to this page for updates and photo galleries as the construction moves along.