Hiyoshi Athletic Field

2016/10/10

The Hiyoshi Athletic Field was built in 1934, the year the Hiyoshi Campus was established. At the time, various athletic facilities were planned to create an ideal sports environment on the Hiyoshi Campus, and this was the first of those facilities. The athletic field at that time already had a form similar to its current state, consisting of a 400-meter oval track, a surrounding grassy slope, and tiered stands on the east and west sides (with a capacity of 3,000 people). It was subsequently maintained with periodic renovations and repairs, but on the occasion of Keio University's 150th anniversary, a large-scale renovation was carried out as part of the commemorative projects. The reborn athletic field was completed in September 2008.

To improve the environment for both track and field events and for ball games using the infield, this new athletic field's renovation focused on three main elements: 1) a complete renovation of the track, 2) the installation of artificial turf on the infield, and 3) the construction of an ancillary facilities building and the development of infrastructure such as drainage systems. In addition, part of the Kyoseikan Collaboration Complex, which was being constructed concurrently, was developed to be used as spectator seating and a stage for the athletic field. This also prepared the environment for its use as an event space, and the 150th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony was held there on November 8.

The 400-meter track was transformed from a seven-lane, clay-based track with three-centered compound curves (where the curve is composed of three connected arcs with different centers) to a seven-lane, all-weather, full-urethane paved track with single-centered curves (where the curve is a single arc), which is standard for certified athletic fields in Japan. Furthermore, while the infield used for throwing events is typically surfaced with natural grass, the Hiyoshi Athletic Field is frequently used by athletic clubs other than the track and field team and for physical education classes. Therefore, installing artificial turf was essential, as natural grass would be difficult to maintain.

However, at the time the renovation plan for the athletic field was being considered, no artificial turf existed that could accommodate throwing events. There were problems such as javelins not sticking in the turf and hammers damaging the surface upon landing. For the renovation, the construction company and the artificial turf manufacturer therefore developed an artificial turf that could be used for both throwing events and ball games, creating the world's first athletic field with artificial turf suitable for throwing competitions.

Before the renovation, the Hiyoshi Athletic Field was certified as a Class 3 athletic facility under the old regulations for certified athletic fields (pre-2006). After the renovation, it qualified as a Class 4 athletic facility under the new regulations (2007 onwards) and received certification from the Japan Association of Athletics Federations in September 2008. In a dual meet against Waseda University held shortly after certification, a new Japanese record was set in the men's 4x200m relay. The javelin throw was held on the infield, and when an athlete's javelin stuck perfectly into the artificial turf, a cheer erupted from the crowd.

(Takashi Shigemori, Director, Office of Facilities and Property Management)