The University of Vermont officially opened its new $2.5 million track and field facility at the Archie Post Athletic Complex on Saturday (Oct. 15).
 
The facility will be the home of the UVM men's and women's track and field team, as well as a popular place for students and other UVM community members to workout.
 
On hand for the grand opening ceremony and making remarks were: Shane Jacobson, Vice President and Chief Operating Office for the University of Vermont Foundation; Tom Gustafson, Vice President of Student and Campus Life at UVM, Robert Corran, UVM associate vice president and director of Athletics; Chris Lemieux, a senior on the men's track and field team; Alanna Jones, a 2000 UVM graduate and track and field alum, and UVM track and field head coach Matt Belfield.
 
Jean Post Lamphear, the daughter of UVM legendary track and field coach Archie Post, and Jim McDonald, a donor to the project, were also on hand and helped with the ribbon cutting ceremony.
 
The track consists of a nine-lane, fully poured polyurethane surface and includes a grass infield for javelin and discus events. An adjacent throwing area will be used for hammer throw and shot put training and competition. The facility also includes two multi-directional long jump and pole vault runways and pits, along with bleacher seating for 350 spectators.
 
UVM's former asphalt track was removed in 2004 to make way for Moulton Winder Field, a synthetic turf field facility, which is the home of the Vermont field hockey team. Moulton Winder opened for play in the fall of 2005.
 
The last time UVM hosted an outdoor track and field meet was on April 26, 1997. It was a dual meet with New Hampshire.
 
The Catamounts host their first track and field meet in 15 years at the new facility on April 17, 2012.  It will be a dual meet with Middlebury.