The Churchill Field green space has expanded due to the construction of the STEM building, opposite of original 2013 concerns of the field’s green space being reduced.

“The new Churchill Field usable space has grown by 4,500 square feet,” Mike Ellingson, North Dakota State director of facilities management, said. He added that,”STEM goes just past Churchill so not much space was lost on the west side. With all of the shrubs and other materials on the east side, the space grew in size.”

“During nice weather… the field is in use by several groups of students starting around lunch time until 8:00 p.m. It’s used for residence hall events, intramural sports and other campus activities,” Erik Diederich, former student body vice president said to The Forum.

In 2013, NDSU students took part in a survey on the importance of saving the Churchill green space and majority of students wanted to preserve as much of the green space as possible.

Robert Kringler, former student body executive commissioner of governmental relations and intercollegiate affairs, told The Spectrum in 2013 that an option was not included in the survey to opt for a zero percent loss of green space “because it is not realistic.”

Diego Gondim, former Churchill RA, said that the STEM building is important and “they still maintained part of the field, which can be utilized for events.”

Gondim said that when he was an RA they “did several events using the field,” such as playing “football with residents, sometimes tag with the girls from Burgum Hall and Churchill’s Annual Sausage Fest was also held in the field.”

Gondim said “after its completion it was clear the field still remains a decent size. Events such as the outdoor movies can still happen and it can still host many students comfortably.”

Casey McCarty contributed to this story.