The construction of the Biorenewables Research Laboratory, south of the Design Building, has put the marching band in search of a new home.

The new field is located in between the Communications Building and the cemetery.

“One of the problems with the old field was that it had bad soil, and it often flooded. It could become an ocean,” said Michael Golemo, associate professor and chair of the music department and director of bands.

“We are pretty tough on a field.”

The location was one of five locations under consideration by a committee that was made up of people such as ISU President Gregory Geoffroy, Elizabeth Hoffman, executive vice president and provost, and Dione Somerville, dean of students. Golemo and Matthew Smith, associate director of bands, were on the committee representing the music department.

The committee had been discussing the issue since the summer, when it was decided the Biorenewables Research Laboratory would be placed on the empty lot.

“We had been meeting all throughout the fall and even a couple meetings in the summer,” Golemo said.

The old field had its own problems that could be a hassle for the marching band.

“Drainage was one issue we had. The grounds and maintenance didn’t keep up the field as well and made it an issue when it rained,” said Eric Almeida, senior in mechanical engineering and one of the drum majors in 2007. “We never had enough lighting around October, when it got darker, sooner.”

“My hope is that [the new field] is just as good, if not better than the old one.”

Golemo said the new field will be fixed up in time for the marching season in the fall.

“We are going to have a good slope be irrigated for us. There will also be new lights put up to help the band out,” he said. “There will be new grass by the time we begin in mid-August.”

Golemo said the band has been in a couple different places in recent years.

“We were there for maybe four or five years. We spent a couple years by Helser Hall – where Martin now stands,” he said.

Golemo said the agreement was very pleasing and believes the new field will be a big improvement.

Golemo said because the field is a little farther of a walk, band practices will begin at 4:30 p.m., since it will be more convenient for people who have labs in the afternoon.

“Everyone got what they wanted,” Golemo said. “We are very excited about the new field and its opportunities.”

Almeida said the band, which, in 2007, was composed of more than 300 students, had to have speakers, yard markers and percussion instruments for each practice. The percussion material had to be brought from Music Hall, since that’s where they were kept.

Almeida said students should be prepared for an extra walk and wear repellent if bugs are going to be a problem.

“I think this is the best location since, yes, it is farther, but still better when we looked at any alternatives,” he said.

Golemo said the additional distance would be about another block and a half.