Wake Forest sports studio ready as ACC Network takes the field

Wake Forest University’s new production studio facility for athletic telecasts on the ACC Network (NYSE: DIS) is hidden away at one of the athletic department’s major playing venues. It’s in plain sight. But if you didn’t know it was there, you’d have to read a tiny plate on a ubiquitous concrete wall spot to find it. Otherwise, it just looks like a baseball clubhouse – no windows or any obvious sign of a television studio.

The tiny plate outside the former visitors’ clubhouse off the right-field line at David F. Couch Ballpark is the only indication that a television studio facility – not a locker room with showers – is on the other side of the concrete blocks. And you’d have to be a few steps from the sign to read it.

For the launching of the ACC Network, which debuted Thursday, Wake Forest built the 3,100-square-foot studio facility in the former baseball clubhouse to coordinate and produce telecasts of all Demon Deacon sports for the new network. Wake Forest built two production rooms in the clubhouse so that two events can be produced at the same time from the site. The athletic department has facilities at BB&T (NYSE: BBT) Field and Joel Coliseum that can handle football and basketball telecasts.

The full story by John Brasier at Triad Business Journal can be found here.

WFU breaks ground on $1.1 million improvements to soccer fields

​​Wake Forest University broke ground Thursday on renovations of its two soccer practice fields as part of a $3 million package of updates for the men’s and women’s soccer facilities. The renovated fields, which will be leveled with a state-of-the-art irrigation system installed, will have natural grass playing surfaces. I.L. Long Construction Co. of Winston-Salem is handling the grading. Carolina Greens Turfcare of Durham is doing the irrigation and sod, Wake Forest women’s soccer coach Tony da Luz told Triad Business Journal. 

WFU soccer spokesman Jay Garneau said renovation of the practice fields and the irrigation system are estimated to cost about $1.1 million. Da Luz said the new Bermuda surface would be “golf-course quality.” Completion is scheduled for the beginning of September, just in time for the start of the Deacons’ home schedule. “This is just going to be a pristine facility,” da Luz said. “it’s a big deal. Our recruits value a premier, natural surface for soccer that they can rely on every day. We will have the best practice facility in the ACC.”

The full story from Triad Business Journal can be found here.

Country club completes $7M renovation

A multiyear project to upgrade the facilities at the Forsyth Country Club in Winston-Salem is complete. The second phase of the $7 million renovation is a $5.2 million wellness and fitness facility. Lee Smith, chief operating officer, says the country club is more like a spa resort. The contractor was Winston-Salem-based I. L. Long Construction Co. Inc.

The new facility features cardiovascular equipment that can be used by anyone from members with limited mobility to members with excellent athletic ability. Cable weight systems and free weights also are available in the center.

Smith says the two-level center also has a personal training area and three exercise studios, where boot camps, high-intensity mind and body classes (think yoga or barre) and cycle classes will be held. About 60 cycle classes per week already are being held.

There’s also golf-specific equipment and training to help those looking to improve their game.

The full story from Triad Business Journal can be found here.

Forsyth Country Club