Chatham University holds groundbreaking ceremony at UPMC Graham Field
On June 13, 2019, Chatham University broke ground on major renovations at UPMC Graham Field, located at 1125 Princeton Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15221, along Penn Avenue between Wilkinsburg and Edgewood.
This event served as the official kick-off to the construction of UPMC Graham Field, which is expected to be completed for use by fall 2019. The ceremony began with remarks by members of the regional coalition that made the ~$3 million revitalization project possible. Event speakers included:
David Finegold, D.Phil.,President of Chatham University
The Honorable Jay Costa, State Senate
The Honorable Edward Gainey, House of Representatives
The Honorable Rich Fitzgerald, County Executive
The Honorable Marita Garrett, Mayor, Wilkinsburg Borough
The Honorable Pamela Macklin, President, Wilkinsburg Borough Council
The Honorable LaTonya Washington, President, Wilkinsburg School Board of Directors
The Honorable Edward Donovan, Board Member and Past President, Wilkinsburg School Board of Directors
Brian Hagen, Ph.D., P.T., Vice President of Network Services for UPMC Centers for Rehab Services and Program Administrator for UPMC Sports Medicine
UPMC Graham Field will be the new home of the Chatham Cougars lacrosse and soccer teams, giving 130 student athletes (men and women) on four teams their own long-awaited home field.
Funding for the project has been provided by UPMC, the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, Dollar Bank, and the Rust Foundation.
Chatham’s leasing agreement with the Wilkinsburg School District includes providing neighborhood access; maintaining the field, stands, and locker rooms; and adding improvements such as installing new seating, adding new lighting, replacing the grass field with artificial turf, replacing and repairing fencing around the property and field, and resurfacing the parking lot. The field will also be available for community use by summer sports camps, high school football, pee-wee football leagues, and other community groups.
Graham Field was previously Wilkinsburg High School Field, prior to its merger with Woodland Hills High School.
For media inquires, please contact Bill Campbell at bcampbell@chatham.edu or 412-365-1140.