Brothers Eric and David Wren find themselves out on Norman Field every day.
The Santa Fe College freshmen drive across town to use the open field to practice football drills. But that may change in the future.
David Bowles, the director of UF’s Department of Recreational Sports, said a wellness and recreation center could be built on Norman Field, which sits on the corner of Southwest 13th Street and Southwest Eighth Avenue. He said the facility would combine health and exercise services for students.
“We want to set up a situation where we’re working together even more closely,” he said.
Bowles said the idea came up about a year and a half ago, but there are no current plans other than it being a good idea supported by faculty members. The building would take up all of Norman Field, he said.
He said if the project happens, it could be called “13th Street Health and Recreation Center,” but he couldn’t estimate any costs.
“Things get a lot more concrete once you have funding,” Bowles said.
He said he knows students would be losing the grass field, but he said an indoor turf would give students the opportunity to continue outdoor sports.
Parking would also be enforced, and students would have to receive a pass to park at the facility.
“At the end of the day, we’re both about the same thing, and that is students being healthy so they can be successful at the University of Florida,” he said.
David Wren, 20, said he likes using the open space at Norman Field.
“This (field) is just open,” the astrophysics and aerospace engineering student said. “You can just walk on.”
He said he’d be OK with using a new facility if it was open to the public, but he would rather have the atmosphere of Norman Field.
“I’m not for the building here,” Wren said, spreading his arms. “I feel like this is better.”
Contact Melissa Gomez at mgomez@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @MelissaGomez004.
Avery Jordan, a 21-year-old UF finance senior, leaps to catch an Aerobie flying ring in front of 22-year-old Mitch McNall, also a finance senior, on Norman field on Monday afternoon. Jordan said he and his friends often tossed the ring on Norman field after his friends got the ring for Christmas.
