Iowa State University’s “Cap Timm Field” Receives Upgraded Athletic Field Amenities

Southwest Recreation Complex Improvements Include the Addition of Multi-Purpose Athletic Fields

Iowa State University Recreation Services embarked on a large-scale improvement project at the university’s Southwest Recreation Complex. A design team from Snyder & Associates played an integral role in this comprehensive, multi-year project. Improvements included the removal of the existing track and field and the establishment of two fully-irrigated, dual-purpose rugby and soccer fields.

For the two regulation-size fields, the Snyder & Associates design team integrated a fully-automated irrigation system with a pumping station capable of watering three irrigation zones simultaneously. The automatic irrigation system saves hundreds of hours of labor and allows staff to spend time on other maintenance tasks. In addition to the irrigation system design, Snyder & Associates provided land planning services, grading design, site demolition plans, utility layout, and drainage plans for this extensive project.

Facelift for Baseball Field Highlights Athletic Complex Upgrades

New signage marks the entryway to Cap Timm Field.

While the multi-use fields’ project wrapped up in 2012, another opportunity at the Southwest Recreation Complex arose in 2016 with the planned renovation of Cap Timm Baseball Field. Named after one of Iowa State’s longtime, legendary coaches, Leroy “Cap” Timm, the field lacked many amenities needed for a collegiate-level facility. Although baseball has not been an official sport at Iowa State since 2001, a club team has been calling the field home for several years.

The multi-faceted improvements were designed to address the inadequacies of the facility while maintaining the charms of the existing field. Snyder & Associates coordinated with university staff during the implementation of many of the upgrades. A contingent of design students provided the labor in the construction of several pieces of the project, including the refurbishment of the dugouts and seating area. Other project improvements included limestone retaining walls, a new backstop, plaza entrance, and a memorial to Cap Timm.

Snyder & Associates provided design and construction services for all of the field renovations. The field improvements addressed areas of poor drainage in several places and required the removal of the infield aggregate and a complete replacement with a properly sloped geometry. Our team also added an irrigation system for Cap Timm Field that is tied to the system previously installed for the rugby and soccer fields, reducing overall project cost.

ISU students provided much of the labor for the project, drastically reducing the cost.

The upgrades at the Southwest Recreation Complex provided the opportunity to repurpose and improve valuable space for the university. This welcoming and enjoyable facility created by our professional design crew has generated a renewed energy among the club teams and fans that use the facility. And much like the original Cap Timm Field inspired generations of Cyclone students, fans, and alumni, the promise of new memories in this updated facility is certainly on the horizon.