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Frank M. Lindsay Field | Decatur Indoor Sports Complex (DISC) | Fairview Park | Hickory Point Golf Course
The eight lane, all weather track provides a polyurethane running surface, like that seen at Olympic trainging centers and competition facilities. Illinois recycled tire rubber was used in combination with the polyurethane for a surface that has created one of the finest running tracks in the Midwest.
Designed by former Olympic track athlete, Don Paige of Bahama, North Carolina, the new track features space for concurrent manle and female competition, multidirectional runways for field events and curbing channel drains to ensure proper drainage. Areas have also been developed for the throwing events such as the shot put and discus. Security lighting has been provided for evening use.
Local firms
assisting with the project include general contractor Christy-Foltz,
Phillip W. Cochran Engineers, Dunn Co., General Fence Co., Rainey Nursery
Co., Melvin A. Lingafelter Construction Co., Steve's Trucking Co., Landry
Electrical Systems and S. A. Lewis Construction. Southwest Recreational
Industries of Leander, Texas, provided the polyurethane surface. Considerable
work on the project was done by Millikin's physical plant staff under
the direction of Jim Kiefer, associate director.
"State of the art..." "High tech..." "First Class!" "Best in the Midwest"
Finish Lynx
The facility also
features new track and field equipment and a state-of-the-art timing
system, the Lynx Systems EtherLynx 2000 digital photofinish system. Millikin
was the successful bidder for the timing system in a benefit auction
for world class runner Doug Padilla, who was critically injured when
struck by a car while running in 1996.
A gift of $1 million from the Lindsays has provided the University with the state-of-the-art athletic facilities. As part of the funding for the new track and field facilities, Millikin received a grant of $152,228 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, through the Bureau of Energy and Recycling's Used Tire Recovery Program. The funds provided for the use of recycled rubber derived from Illinois-generated scrap tires.
Decatur
Indoor Sports Center at Millikin (DISC)
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The Decatur Indoor Sports Center was built as a joint project of the Decatur Park District and Millikin University. The DISC was completed in September of 2000. The DISC is located on the south side of campus adjacent to many of the campus residential areas. The center features facilities for many sports including: - 4 lane, 200 meter competition grade Mondo track, which includes a 6 lane sprint straight-away, a Jumping pit, and Vaulting area. The curves of the track are relatively gentle for an indoor track with nearly the maximum radius allowed by track and field rules.
- The infield
of the track includes a soccer field with dasher boards. Basketball
and volleyball are
also available on the field.
- Golfing practice
and instruction facilities;
- Including putting greens
- Driving nets with a swing analyzer
- Two virtual golf simulators
- A net enclosure for practicing using pitching and sand wedges, complete
with a sand trap and
rough areas
- 2 batting/pitching cages- with coin operated pitching machines for
use in batting practice.
- Weightlifting
and cardiovascular center- The Millikin University Dorothy McClure/
Ralph Allan
Allan McClure Fitness Wellness Center-
- Dance and Aerobics instruction area
- Secondary Gym for Basketball/volleyball
The Big Blue cross country teams have several locations to practice and run meets in the Decatur Area. Millikin utilizes Fairview Park and its series of bike trails for many of their practices. Fairview park is located across Fairview avenue from the university.
Fairview Park is 190 acres of green space devoted to family recreation. Its
pavilions are host to many gatherings, and youngsters enjoy trying to
lure "big ones" from Dreamland Lake. Walkers, runners, and bikers enjoy
a paved trail which winds throughout Fairview Park, crosses Stevens
Creek and traces the historic Interurban Railway. The Trail leads through
Kiwanis Park, another favorite training spot for the Big Blue and to
the Macon County Conservation District Bikeway at Rock Springs Environmental
Center. Rock Springs is also utilized by the Big Blue cross country
teams for practice with its network of trails some paved, but most either
dirt or grass trails.
Click here to view map of Bike trails
Click
here to see Rock Springs web-site
The Big Blue cross country teams host the Millikin Classic cross country meet at Hickory Point golf course, located in Forsyth, Illinois. The course is 5,000 meter for women and 8,000 meter for men.
Hickory point is a 6,855 yard golf course considered a course for the beginner and the competitive golfer. Hickory's flat, wide fairways are perfect for learning, while long distances provide challenges for the experienced golfers.
Hickory point was the site of the 1998 CCIW Conference cross country championships, as well as many high school Class AA regionals and sectionals. The golf course also serves as the home course for the Big Blue men's and women's golf teams, and the site for the 2001 NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championships. The course also hosts the annual Ladies Futures Mini Tour.