The City of Southfield and Lawrence Technological University are on a winning streak as plans for construction of an artificial-turf, all-weather softball and baseball field take shape.
With approval by the Southfield City Council to move forward with a September groundbreaking, the field will serve as a dedicated location for LTU’s women’s softball team, which has played without a home field for the last 10 years. Located east of the Southfield ice rink, the field will replace the current recreational softball field and will continue to accommodate recreational leagues as well as community events.
It all began with an anonymous donor who wanted to give back to someone who had impacted his life years earlier. A donation of $500,000 toward the field was his way of saying thank you.
“This exciting state-of-the-art field will feature a press box and other updated amenities, such as painted dugouts, backstop and new scoreboard,” says Terry Croad, AICP, ASLA, City of Southfield Director of Planning. “This reflects a major upgrade for the city’s businesses, schools and residents as it reshapes the local sports landscape.”
According to Kevin Finn, LTU Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, a home field complete with artificial turf is critical for the women’s softball season, which typically runs from February through May. “The all-turf field will provide a more durable playing surface, with necessary drainage to accommodate our wet spring weather.”
The Southfield City Council has approved a total of $2.5 million from all sources for capital improvements to the field, which is expected to be completed spring 2026.
“We’re always trying to make our student experience better, but when we combine this with the City of Southfield, we’re making a better experience for the whole community,” says Finn.
“This project is another great collaboration between the City of Southfield and Lawrence Tech,” adds Southfield Mayor Kenson Siver. “The city and the university are sharing resources to build a better facility for both. The great thing about this project is that LTU’s team will use the field in March and April and then it becomes available for recreational leagues, community events and the Southfield Parks & Recreation spring programming. Everybody wins!”
