Northwestern College marked a historic milestone on Friday with a double-ceremony, celebrating the official groundbreaking for the newly modernized Korver Field and the ribbon-cutting for the brand-new Colenbrander Plaza.
A Transformational Renovation
The $10.9 million project represents a comprehensive, multi-phase renovation and expansion of the college’s existing stadium. Northwestern College President Greg Christy notes that thanks to overwhelming community support and major lead gifts the college secured $10.6 million rapidly, allowing them to break ground a year ahead of schedule. Top contributions were from Mary DeWitt and family, the late Frank Vogel, Iowa State Bank, and the den Hartog family.
The venue will proudly carry the name of legendary football coach Larry (Bob) Korver. President Christy shares Korver’s impact on Northwestern.
“Coach Larry Korver, our longtime football coach from nineteen sixty seven to nineteen ninety four, last December, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. And he just had a huge impact on the lives of thousands of young men over the time that he was coaching even beyond. So they loved the idea of naming it after him.”
Christy lays out the extensive scope of the renovations designed to elevate the fan experience.
“Brand new entrance to the stadium. Right now there’s kind of on the on the West side. Also all new restrooms, both men’s and women’s and greatly expanded restrooms, particularly for women. A new concession area, also a new stand out shop for merchandise. All new fencing, and, and pillars, encircling the stadium to give it a more professional look and feel.”
Additional upgrades include a new video board, a sports medicine center in the remodeled halftime facility, and a covered “Raiders Zone” premium seating area. Exterior construction begins immediately with minimal internal disruption, aiming for competition readiness by next September.
Honoring History at Colenbrander Plaza
In front of the stadium, the newly opened Colenbrander Plaza honors a foundational figure in Northwestern’s history. The plaza is named after Reverend Henry Colenbrander, who served as pastor of First Reformed Church in Orange City, the church that founded Northwestern College. He also spent 35-years as the college board chair through challenging times like the Great Depression and World War II.
All of Colenbrander was fully funded by a single generous legacy gift from the late Ray Hiemstra, son of former college president Jacob Hiemstra. President Christy reflects on the connection.
“He felt led to make a significant contribution to the college. And he wanted to do two things. He wanted to honor his parents legacy. We used to have a Hiemstra hall on campus years ago that we had also taken down because of just the end of its useful life. So we were able to use his gift to rename a current residence hall that we simply called North Suites a directional name. And then we also, he liked the idea of, to remember the name of Reverend Henry Colenbrander.”
Community and Municipal Impact
Orange City Administrator Matt Van Schouwen emphasizes the importance of the athletic stadium for Orange City schools as well. Both MOC and Unity Christian use Northwestern’s field for football games among other activities. Van Schouwen reflects on the importance of the new field and plaza to the Orange City community.
“That facility is certainly a critical piece of Northwestern’s campus, but it’s also a big part of of our local schools to the MOC high school, they have a lot of events out there. And Unity Christian also uses that, from a city aspect, you know, along with being a key part of the schools, which are a key part of the community.”
The Orange City Council will review potential municipal support for the Northwestern project at the next city council meeting.
