The Joe Plumeri Sports Complex will provide a first-class facility for the College's outdoor athletic programs and endow Albany's Hoffman Park with top-quality fields for community sports.

When completed, the complex will become the home of the outstanding Golden Knights baseball, softball and soccer teams and several of the College’s recreational and intramural sports programs. The College of Saint Rose intends to develop an intercollegiate lacrosse program over the next two years. The fields also will be available to the community for summer recreational leagues, high school games, charity games and summer sports camps.

Scope of Complex

• Saint Rose entered into a 30-year lease agreement beginning in 2007 with the City of Albany
• Estimated Cost—$4.7 million to create fields for baseball, soccer/lacrosse and softball, a practice field and supporting structures
• Size of project area—14.7 acres

Goals of Project

• Construct a natural turf baseball field to comply with NCAA Intercollegiate and New York State Interscholastic standards
• Erect a multi-purpose synthetic turf field for soccer and lacrosse to comply with NCAA Intercollegiate and New York State Interscholastic specifications
• Construct a skinned infield and natural turf softball field to meet NCAA Intercollegiate and New York State Interscholastic standards
• Build a natural turf practice field
• Provide spectator seating with handicapped access
• Add energy-efficient lighting
• Provide parking, including handicapped spaces
• Build men’s and women’s restrooms and locker rooms
• Add scoreboards and a public address system
• Build structures for equipment storage
• Install water, electrical and telephone systems
• Add security and safety components

To conserve energy and other resources, this complex will:

• Install a Musco field lighting system, the most energy- efficient system available, featuring remote timers that activate lighting only when needed
• Use of low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint, which is less harmful to humans and the environment
• Conserve electricity by scheduling activities during daylight hours, when possible
• Install synthetic turf made of recycled materials to conserve water
• Use of FSC lumber
• Use of recycled steel, aluminum and rubber from tires to construct the synthetic turf field
• Place recycling containers throughout the park to reduce waste
• Add water retention tanks to recycle stormwater
• Recycle construction and other materials to minimize waste
• Plant a minimum of 50 trees, which will reduce wind impact and provide shade for cooling
• Use organic fertilization and an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, an effective and environmentally sensitive approach used to manage pest damage by the most economical means and with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment

Green Design
This project will be designed and constructed to have a positive impact on the environment. It will help area wetlands through an innovative stormwater management system, cutting back on electricity use with efficient daylighting strategies and recycling construction materials.

This project will reduce the utilization of natural resources and environmental impact through strategies such as reusing existing site materials, using recycled and/or recyclable materials, employing low-impact construction techniques, building to conserve energy and water and use of locally produced products and materials. It may also save desirable trees by relocating them to onsite or offsite locations.

Smart Growth
Principles of smart growth are incorporated into this project. Hoffman Park already has five athletic fields that will be repurposed. The economic and social needs of the surrounding neighborhoods will be considered and incorporate design elements that contribute to environmental health. This park will stabilize home ownership and stimulate general business development. The College’s investment in Hoffman Park will be leveraged to accomplish its mission of engagement in the urban community while raising the livability of Albany.

"The Joe Plumeri Sports Complex truly exemplifies the definition of what a town-gown relationship should be. The College of Saint Rose has consistently been a true partner in helping to make our community more vibrant, by not only recognizing its role as a corporate citizen, but also by making resources available to those who can benefit from their use. The Joe Plumeri Sports Complex is further evidence how a collaborative venture can truly be a benefit to all. As economic development initiatives occur throughout the City, I am especially pleased as to how this transformational project will anchor this section of our community"

The Honorable Gerald D. Jennings, Albany Mayor