“Farewell to the Field” Event Marks End of One USD Era; Beginning of Another

Chilly evening temperatures and the threat of rain did little to dampen the energy and excitement of Toreros who attended Tuesday’s “Farewell to the Field” event at USD’s Valley Field.

Located adjacent to first- and second-year student housing in an area known as “The Valley,” the Valley Field is a popular campus outdoor space that’s been home to events ranging from intramural football games to employee picnics — and just about everything in between — since it was constructed more than three decades ago. Tuesday evening marked the end of an era, as the space is being closed and redeveloped into the eagerly anticipated USD Wellness Center and Basketball Practice Center.

A collaboration between the Torero Program Board and Campus Recreation, the “Farewell to the Field” event had a carnival-like atmosphere where attendees were treated to an assortment of rides, food and music. Perhaps the biggest attraction was the photo booth, where groups of Toreros posed for pictures to commemorate the event. According to Torero Program Board Vice-Chair Jasmine Hersh, it was an opportunity to bid a proper farewell to a space that has meant so much, to so many.

“Our main purpose was to throw a big party for the students in a place has been a really important part of USD life for decades,” Hersh said. “We were a bit nervous that it would just be [Valley residents] who would show up, but I was really happy to see juniors and seniors come back to celebrate and say goodbye. I know it was bittersweet for some people, but the overall vibe was really heartwarming and positive.”

Out With the Old … In With the New

Without a doubt, saying goodbye to the Valley Field — and its well-travelled neighbor, the Valley Stairs — marks the end of an era at USD. And while they say that all good things must end … in this particular case, those good things are giving way to something great.

Slated for completion in August of 2024, the new Wellness Center will be USD's state-of-the-art nexus of health, wellness and community connection. Conveniently located in the heart of campus, the three-story, 80,000 square-foot facility will sit near the Main Entrance, at the crossroads between the academic area of campus to the west, and the residential and Athletics areas of campus to the east. The renderings below provide a snapshot of what to expect when this amazing facility opens for business:

Entrance and Lobby: located at street level, adjacent to main campus entrance, parking, and Student Life Pavilion, this space will serve as the main thoroughfare to the center’s cardio and group fitness areas.

Fitness Area: The primary fitness area on the third level of the Wellness Center will be the largest space on campus dedicated to exercise and physical well-being.

Wellness Wing: This space will be dedicated to supporting the mental and emotional resources needed for the challenges of college life and beyond. 

Fitness Wing: The largest component of the Wellness Center, the Fitness Wing will offer extensive resources for a variety of physical exercises, activities and court-based sports, including the Basketball Practice Center.

Above all else, the Wellness Center is being created to provide students the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, and that, according to Associate Vice President for University Operations André Hutchinson, is reason enough to be excited about what’s to come. “The facility was created with the idea that it can help optimize our students’ experiences; not just with their physical development, but with their development as a whole person. That’s what we are committed to here at USD, and this facility will support that mission.” 

Wellness Center Construction Plans: What You Should Know

While it’s exciting to imagine all of the events and opportunities the Wellness Center will offer in the future, there’s also the immediate impacts of the construction that begins now. Below is a list of the areas that will be impacted by the Wellness Center project, and what alternate routes Valley residents and pedestrians will need to take to get from here-to-there for the foreseeable future:

Valley Areas Impacted by Wellness Center Project:

• The exterior stairs from Valley Field/Main Parking to Student Life Pavilion will be closed. The access point to the Student Life Pavilion will be through the Main Parking garage stairs/elevator during construction hours. Pedestrians should use the crosswalk closest to the Main Entrance.
• Additionally, the Valley Field will also be closed and the Valley Field North Trail will be closed from March 30, 2023 to Aug. 15, 2023. Detours are planned around Matayuum Crossroads and San Rafael.
• Alcalá Way will be closed to through traffic during the day behind SLP and UC during construction. The road will only be accessible in the event of an emergency.
• Construction parking in the Valley B Parking Lot will expand to the Main Structure Lower Level starting May 30.
• Gas work will also impact vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

University Center Areas Impacted by Wellness Center Project:

The UC North Parking Lot (N1) will be closed to campus. Access to the UC North Parking Lot for staff, employees and small delivery will be maintained including ADA parking and Outdoor Adventures, loading and washout area. Zip cars will need to be relocated.

• Access to the UC Loading Dock requires construction check-in during work hours 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the construction gate near the main entrance.
• 1 ADA parking space may be impacted.

While every major construction project comes with its own challenging circumstances and difficult jobsite logistics, Hutchinson is convinced the end will justify the means. “Our construction team is dedicated to ensuring the safety of the entire campus community at all times, and we trust that students, faculty and staff who may be impacted by any changes because of the construction will see these temporary inconveniences as short-term pain, long-term gain,” he said. "There’s a real excitement about this project, and when finished, I think everyone will agree about what an amazing resource the Wellness Center will be to our entire campus community.”

— USD News Center