Demorest, GA -- With students returning to Piedmont College for the fall semester, new and returning students will see a very different athletic field compared to the one they left behind in the spring semester. With the support of the Piedmont College President Ray Cleere, Walker Athletic Complex is currently undergoing one of the most dramatic renovations in the recent history of all the athletic facilities at PC.

As the new academic year arrives, Walker Athletic Complex has been transformed into one of the finest athletic facilities in the south complete with a new multi-use turf playing surface and stadium seating for several of the PC athletic programs. Construction of the new complex began in the early summer months with the project slated for completion within the next few weeks.

”We are extremely grateful to President Ray Cleere for undertaking such a wonderful improvement to our existing athletic facilities," stated Director of Athletics John Dzik. "With the addition of men's lacrosse and the anticipated expansion to women's lacrosse, the need for a suitable playing venue was critical. This project will not only support our field teams, but is a great addition for recreational activities for our entire campus community.”

The Walker Field project includes a 120 x 70 yard artificial playing surface that will serve as the home for men's and women's soccer this fall as well as PC's newly added men's lacrosse program beginning play in the spring of 2012. Constructed by Scroggs and Grizzel Contracting from nearby Gainesville, the field itself will be striped for competition in both soccer and lacrosse.

The artificial grass surface on the new Walker Field will be similar to that of the game field at Atlanta Silverbacks Park located about 15 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. Scroggs and Grizzel will also be installing spectator seating to surround the new field providing a first-rate experience for not just players, but fans as well.

In addition to added seating, several other parts of the project will serve to help enhance the all-around spectator experience at the new facility. New stairways will provide spectator access, with one leading from the Mize Center while the other will lead from the parking lot at the recently constructed Plymouth Dormitory. Lighting along the new sidewalks to the field is being installed for added safety and security.

As an added aesthetic look to the complex, landscaping will adorn the surrounding areas of the field while freshly-laid natural grass will be placed around the field as the entire complex is anticipated to be developed as one of the premier complexes throughout the southeast. The formerly gravel lot located at the base of the Johnny Mize Athletic Center has also been paved.

The construction surrounding Walker Athletic Complex is the first on its scale at Piedmont since the renovations completed on the Loudermilk Baseball Complex that included covered chair-back seating and old-fashioned bleachers for 600 plus spectators. That upgrade also involved the addition of a concession stand area, press box, and locker rooms as well as an indoor practice facility down the left field line which houses batting cages and an annex of the Johnny Mize Baseball Museum.