The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) was recently awarded a $5 million grant from the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program.
The funds will be used to begin phase one construction of the university’s Bear Mountain, a brand new athletics facility housing numerous outdoor sports, such as football, soccer, tennis, cross country, track and field, archery, softball and baseball.
A Transformative Investment
The AMLER program aims to repurpose legacy coal mining sites for productive use, focusing on economic and community development.
The $5 million grant will jumpstart phase one, though additional fundraising will be essential to complete the project.
In addition to the $8.7 million that was awarded from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, total funding received for Bear Mountain exceeds $15 million.
“The funding from AMLER represents more than just financial support—it’s a transformative investment in the future of our university and the surrounding community. With the creation of Bear Mountain, we are building a legacy of innovation and opportunity that will benefit generations to come,” said UPIKE President Burton J. Webb, Ph.D. “This initiative will not only elevate UPIKE as a leader in creating an environment of wellness and recreation, but it will also ignite economic growth and enhance the quality of life for the entire region. Bear Mountain is a testament to our commitment to leaving a lasting impact, both for our students and for the people of Eastern Kentucky.”
UPIKE leaders estimated 50 percent of their undergraduate students actively participate in various sports.
In 2022, UPIKE announced an agreement to purchase 220 acres of land to house Bear Mountain.
“With more than 500 student-athletes across campus that call UPIKE home, this project will benefit more than half of our undergraduate student population,” said Webb in 2022. “Bear Mountain is located only a mile and a half from campus, making it easily accessible for students, coaches and the community. We couldn’t be more thankful to the Chairman of the Board, Terry Dotson, who was instrumental during this process. His commitment to UPIKE will be felt by students, athletes, coaches and the community.”
The first phase will see the construction of a new football stadium, complete with a press box, bleachers, a turf field, a scoreboard, and ample parking.
In addition to the UPIKE athletic programs, the space plans to offer the community a playground, room for tailgating, walking and biking trails.
For more information, visit upike.edu.
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