Bowdoin College, Whittier Field

This transformation fulfilled a strong desire to retain Whittier Field’s much-loved history while equipping it with modern amenities necessary as the 21st Century home of the college’s football, track and field, and men’s lacrosse teams.

CHA partnered with Bowdoin College to design the revitalization of this revered piece of college sport history in a two-phase project funded through private donations. The initial $4.5 million phase replaced the grass field with artificial turf and added lights, seating, and a new two-level press box, along with expanding the six-lane track to the eight lanes necessary to host NCAA championship track meets. The exterior of Hubbard Grandstand, which was added to the National Historic Register of Places in 2017, was rehabilitated and bleachers were removed to showcase its historical architecture. Aluminum grandstands were constructed on the opposite side of the field to preserve spectator seating capacity.

The second phase relocated a public roadway, constructed a 8,780 SF team/spectator support facility, and completed additional spectator seating. The Whittier Field support facility houses locker, training, and equipment rooms and spectator restrooms.