Electrical Engineering Mount Mercy University Robert W Plaster Athletic Complex

Located in Cedar Rapids, IA

The Robert W. Plaster Mount Mercy Athletic Complex will provide state-of-the art facilities for the University's current varsity athletic programs including men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track & field, baseball and softball. Built on a former industrial site the complex underwent extensive remediation of soils thanks to a federal brownfield grant. The plan exudes Mount Mercy’s spirit of compassion and dedication to being a community partner in many ways including the dedication of an easement on the property for a community bike trail.

The addition of this complex will allow the student-athletes access to top-quality, lighted facilities very near to the university’s main campus. Reduced travel time as well as the ability to practice and host events at night and will not only improve the athletic experience, but will also improve the academic experience for student-athletes. The athletic complex will serve as a driver of future enrollment for the University as it allows for the consideration of future varsity athletic programs such as football, men's and women's lacrosse, and junior varsity programs in men's and women's soccer, baseball and softball as well as other possible sport additions.

The Mount Mercy Athletic Complex will also serve the general student population and the greater Mount Mercy community by offering dramatically increased opportunities for intramural sports, club sports, and general recreation and fitness. Mount Mercy aims to make a difference in the Cedar Rapids' community by offering high levels of youth programming during times when MMU students or varsity teams are not utilizing the complex. With this goal in mind, it was necessary to plan the development of the complex in anticipation of such high volume usage, especially during the summer months. An additional goal of the project is to drastically improve the physical appearance of the industrial setting and be an asset to the Mound View neighborhood where the complex is located.