The URI Soccer Complex, which has been the home of University of Rhode Island soccer since 1976, underwent a drastic facelift this off-season, making it one of the finest collegiate soccer facilities in the Atlantic 10 and Northeast Region.

The playing surface was completely renovated, having been re-graded with 400 cubic yards of soil and re-sodded, giving the Rams a flat playing surface. New bleachers were installed to replace the old iron and wooden structure and 12 handicap seats were added, bringing the capacity to 1,547.

The project was a combination of anonymous donors, the Rhode Island Ram Athletic Association and boosters of the soccer program. The men's and women's soccer teams were involved in the demolition of the former stands and construction of the foundation on which the current bleachers rest.

Fiore Industries donated concrete for the construction and Cullion Concrete donated labor. Mooresfield Builders oversaw the project and John Pasture was the project manager for the foundation. H. Charles Tapalian donated the funding for the bleachers which were constructed by Seating Solutions. Lalham Excavators and URI grounds superintendent Charlie Hovanesian also helped with the project.

The turf for the field was provided by URI alumnus Dave Wallace at cost and was installed by Kingston Turf and Brian Bouchard, with URI professor Dr. Richard Sullivan providing consulting.

Coaches Ed Bradley, Jay Primiano and Gareth Elliott were heavily involved in the fundraising and hands on labor.

Previous improvements to the URI Soccer Complex include the addition of lights in 1996 and a sprinkler system in 2003.

Next up will be permanent dugouts for the home and visiting teams and a new three-level press box that will sit on the north sideline, overlooking the soccer field, along with serving the needs of the football team as a filming deck for practices.

The URI Soccer Complex has hosted the Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Championship four times (1991, 1995, 1998 and 2000) and the Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Championship twice (1996 and 2001). The facility has hosted two NCAA Men's Tournament games in the last decade, hosting Hartford in 1996 and Boston College in 2000.