Queens College has achieved a goal: refurbishing its fields for its soccer team and the running track for its track squad.

"The really important thing was to give these students a quality pitch where they can really be training and really work at developing their skills here," said City Council Member Francisco Moya, who played soccer growing up at nearby Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.  

What You Need To Know

  • Queens College has renovated two soccer fields and the track on its campus

  • The nearly $10 million project was paid for through a combination of state and city funding

  • Both the Queens College Soccer and Track teams compete at the NCAA Division II level
  • The fields will also be used by local schools and the community

Moya is one of the city and state officials who secured funding to make the nearly $10 million project possible. It's not only the new turf soccer fields, but a refurbished track for the school's track team. Both compete at the NCAA Division II level. 

"As we emerge from the pandemic, it's so important that we rebuild, and we did that literally, this soccer pitch and the track are ready for our athletes, ready for the community," said Queens College President Frank Wu. 

The facility will be available for local schools like Townsend Harris and John Bowne High Schools next door, plus local groups seeking a place to play. Wu joined Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and State Assembly Member Nily Rozic for a lap around the track. Rozic had run on the old track while a student at Townsend Harris. 

"When we used to run it in high school, it was full of holes and it was an actual hazard. Now, students will be able to use it and get good running miles out of it," said Rozic, who secured a grant from the state for the track renovation. 

"This really takes everyone coming together and it's a win for everyone of this community and of this college," said Richards.

Queens College Athletic Director Robert Twible says the fields and track will help with recruiting both locally and internationally for their teams. 

"We also have the ability now to host track meets and championship soccer matches," said Twible. 

The student athletes at Queens College, part of the City University of New York, are probably the most excited. The soccer team hasn't had a home game in two years due to the pandemic and construction on the site. 

"It's been a great time just being on this field, I can't wait to get everything going in full swing," said Queens College soccer player Nick Tagios.