Page 86 - UB Church and Shen Univ
P. 86
Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
which was expanding its cell phone operation in the region. The gift enabled the construction of a
3,000-seat football facility. Charles Ricketts and his company made a significant gift and constructed
the Press Box and bathroom complex; Kathy Perry Werner donated funds for an end-zone building; and
the Shentel Corporation made a second gift of $750,000 to add artificial turf for the field. After a
decade of development, the University completed an excellent outdoor-lighted facility that could be used
for soccer, lacrosse, hockey, and football.
With funds donated from several members of the athletic booster club, the University hired a
leading architectural firm to design a new field house and indoor arena for basketball. The
administration proposed to build a 100,000-sq.ft. facility to be located adjacent to the football complex
and provide practice and game space for all the other athletic teams. The proposed facility was
estimated to cost $25 to $30 million, which placed a huge challenge to the leadership that had just
completed a $65 million capital campaign. The current gymnasium had been originally built in the
1960s, named for Newton Shingleton, former owner of Shenandoah Pride Dairy and major
philanthropist. The building was to be converted to intramural sports once the new facility is completed.
Aikens Hall, which was built during the time of the addition of the football program, provides locker
rooms, coaches offices, and weight training. Eventually this space was to be used for the Athletic
Training and Sports Management academic programs, as well as a possible home for the Mary Wilkins
Wellness Center.
Athletic teams have been competitive with several championships, but without the new proposed
athletic facilities, the program lacked competitive space for many sports. In two decades, the University
added more than 15 teams to its athletic program for men and women and constructed key facilities to
make the expansion possible. A contractual relationship with the City for use of baseball, softball, and
tennis facilities in Jim Barnett Park worked reasonably well and helped to reduce costs for the City and
the University. Since these facilities are shared with residents of the City and Handley High School,
scheduling conflicts do occur, but this is one more example of how the City and University have worked
together to mutual benefit over the 50 years since the University moved to Winchester.
The purchase of the Budgetel Motel adjacent to the campus occurred during the implementation
of the football program and increased residential housing for students. The purchase of the motel
boosted the number of students that lived on campus and helped to provide a broader base for campus
life. Also, football expanded weekend entertainment options during the Fall semester. Campus housing
grew to almost 900 student spaces and more than 2,000 additional students rented apartments and rooms
throughout the City. Student life experiences were greatly enhanced, but it would be another 7 years
before the new Student Center could be built and serve as a campus gathering place.
The purchase of 28 acres of commercial land from Eugene Grove along Route 522 South, about
one mile from the main campus, was completed as an investment for the future. Again, the University
acquired this property through a bargain sale for much less than its listed price. As noted, this purchase
later enabled the University to negotiate with the owner of the Holiday Inn property, where
administrators had already leased 40 rooms for students, to purchase the entire Inn and property. The
corporation built a new Holiday Inn on the purchased property and the University took ownership of the
former Holiday Inn. In less than a decade three major motels had been either purchased or leased for
student housing to help meet the rapid growth in university residential population. Long-term prospects
for these properties provide for a scenario whereby the motels can be removed and modern student style
housing can be built.
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 76
which was expanding its cell phone operation in the region. The gift enabled the construction of a
3,000-seat football facility. Charles Ricketts and his company made a significant gift and constructed
the Press Box and bathroom complex; Kathy Perry Werner donated funds for an end-zone building; and
the Shentel Corporation made a second gift of $750,000 to add artificial turf for the field. After a
decade of development, the University completed an excellent outdoor-lighted facility that could be used
for soccer, lacrosse, hockey, and football.
With funds donated from several members of the athletic booster club, the University hired a
leading architectural firm to design a new field house and indoor arena for basketball. The
administration proposed to build a 100,000-sq.ft. facility to be located adjacent to the football complex
and provide practice and game space for all the other athletic teams. The proposed facility was
estimated to cost $25 to $30 million, which placed a huge challenge to the leadership that had just
completed a $65 million capital campaign. The current gymnasium had been originally built in the
1960s, named for Newton Shingleton, former owner of Shenandoah Pride Dairy and major
philanthropist. The building was to be converted to intramural sports once the new facility is completed.
Aikens Hall, which was built during the time of the addition of the football program, provides locker
rooms, coaches offices, and weight training. Eventually this space was to be used for the Athletic
Training and Sports Management academic programs, as well as a possible home for the Mary Wilkins
Wellness Center.
Athletic teams have been competitive with several championships, but without the new proposed
athletic facilities, the program lacked competitive space for many sports. In two decades, the University
added more than 15 teams to its athletic program for men and women and constructed key facilities to
make the expansion possible. A contractual relationship with the City for use of baseball, softball, and
tennis facilities in Jim Barnett Park worked reasonably well and helped to reduce costs for the City and
the University. Since these facilities are shared with residents of the City and Handley High School,
scheduling conflicts do occur, but this is one more example of how the City and University have worked
together to mutual benefit over the 50 years since the University moved to Winchester.
The purchase of the Budgetel Motel adjacent to the campus occurred during the implementation
of the football program and increased residential housing for students. The purchase of the motel
boosted the number of students that lived on campus and helped to provide a broader base for campus
life. Also, football expanded weekend entertainment options during the Fall semester. Campus housing
grew to almost 900 student spaces and more than 2,000 additional students rented apartments and rooms
throughout the City. Student life experiences were greatly enhanced, but it would be another 7 years
before the new Student Center could be built and serve as a campus gathering place.
The purchase of 28 acres of commercial land from Eugene Grove along Route 522 South, about
one mile from the main campus, was completed as an investment for the future. Again, the University
acquired this property through a bargain sale for much less than its listed price. As noted, this purchase
later enabled the University to negotiate with the owner of the Holiday Inn property, where
administrators had already leased 40 rooms for students, to purchase the entire Inn and property. The
corporation built a new Holiday Inn on the purchased property and the University took ownership of the
former Holiday Inn. In less than a decade three major motels had been either purchased or leased for
student housing to help meet the rapid growth in university residential population. Long-term prospects
for these properties provide for a scenario whereby the motels can be removed and modern student style
housing can be built.
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 76
