Michigan State construction, upgrades wrapping up next month and continuing through 2022

EAST LANSING — Michigan State University students are set to return to campus within days — and they may not recognize some areas after a busy summer of construction by the university.

Among the major changes taking place are more than $13 million in upgrades to the building that houses the School of Packaging — the first program of its kind in higher education and the largest packaging program in the country — upgrades at Spartan Stadium, and the addition of two artificial turf fields that will be used for recreational sports. 

“We’re excited to be a part of all of these projects. A lot of these projects benefit research while others will directly benefit students,” said Fred Woodhams, communications manager for MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities. “It shows the commitment the university has to faculty and to students and certainly making it a better place for them.”

New and state-of-the-art facilities are always a plus for student recruitment, said John Ambrose, executive director of admissions. 

Not only do students have the chance to work with MSU’s renowned faculty, he said, but, thanks to the construction projects and renovations, students have the opportunity to learn in facilities designed to reflect their future careers. 

“It’s a definite plus for parents and students who are considering a university to be able to see new facilities and facilities going through makeovers,” he said. “It all contributes to student success and health and wellness.”

Here are some of the projects and developments to watch at MSU:

Projects focus on student health, fitness

New artificial turf fields along Service Road will be ready for student recreation this fall, while planning for a future student recreation center continues. 

For years, MSU students have used natural grass fields for sports and recreational activities, but the fields often required repairs and maintenance, Woodhams said.

The fields are heavily used, with an average of 8,500 students participating in activities each semester from 5 p.m. to midnight throughout the week. About 400 to 500 club athletes also use the fields. 

Because of poor drainage and other substandard conditions, use of the fields has been limited, totaling five to 10 days of cancellations every season. 

More: MSU planning $13-million turf recreation fields, health and fitness center

The new turf fields will expand athletics and recreation seasons and include improved site drainage, Woodhams said. 

The project also includes two buildings that will be used for storage, office space and toilets. 

The new fields will be a "game changer" for club sports, like lacrosse. 

The MSU Club Lacrosse team has played most of its home games at Ralph Young Field, home of MSU's collegiate field hockey and track and field programs. But it's not a great facility for lacrosse. 

It's not uncommon for club lacrosse athletes to suffer injuries during practices on the field, said MSU Club Lacrosse President Jon Bickford, a senior from Hudsonville. Athletes were not allowed to wear cleats on the short turf, making it difficult to stay on their feet as they cut or made quick stops. 

And falling could be rough as the field doesn't have rubber pellets that most turf fields feature to cushion the impact, Bickford said. 

"It just wasn't made for lacrosse," he said. 

The team's opponents didn't want to play on the field either, meaning that the MSU Club Lacrosse team typically hosts few home games. Bickford said the team will host five or six home games out of its 12-game schedule next spring on the new turf fields, compared to the one or two it has hosted per season in past years. 

Construction started in February and is expected to conclude in September. The estimated $13-million project is supported by a recreational facility fee that students pay with their tuition. The fee was initially approved by the MSU Board of Trustees in June 2021 at $100 per year or $50 per semester; it will increase to $260 for the 2023-24 academic year.

The future Health, Wellness and Fitness Center remains in the planning phase. There is no expected construction start time yet and the Board of Trustees would need to authorize the project to move forward with construction, Woodhams said. 

The proposed facility would replace the IM West building with “a modern structure and facilities that address student recreation and fitness needs with an eye toward future development,” according to MSU Infrastructure, Planning and Facilities information. 

Including a pool as part of the project continues to be an option officials are exploring. 

The new facility is expected to be erected on a site bound by Shaw Lane, Birch Road and Harrison Road.  

Spartan Stadium project addresses needed structural repairs

Another $4.1 million will support critical repairs and updated sound systems at Spartan Stadium, with the improvements expected to be completed ahead of football season. 

The project includes adding waterproof sealant and expansion joints to the stadium’s concrete bowl, repairing and replacing handrails and installing floor drains. The work carries a cost estimate of $2.5 million.

An additional $1.6 million will be invested in a new sound system. 

Construction was set to begin in April and expected to be completed ahead of the MSU football team’s home opener against Western Michigan University on Sept. 2. 

School of packaging improvements

About $13.25 million will fund renovations at the School of Packaging building, which hasn’t been updated for more than 30 years. 

Improvements and renovations include new common areas designed to support student engagement and learning, an upgraded lecture hall, upgraded offices and transforming storage areas into research space. 

Officials broke ground on the project on April 19. Woodhams said the work should be completed in early 2023. 

The project is funded in part by $10 million in donations from alumni and donors.

Contact Mark Johnson at 517-377-1026 or majohnson2@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByMarkJohnson.