Brown Unveils New Indoor Sports Facility

Penner Field House expands access to year-round athletic activities on campus.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Brown University has opened a new 76,000-square-foot indoor turf facility called the Penner Field House, providing a climate-controlled space for varsity teams, club sports, intramural leagues, and recreational use. The facility replaces the previous Meister-Kavan Field and offers expanded opportunities for students to train, play, and stay active throughout the year, even during New England's harsh winter months.

Why it matters

The new Penner Field House addresses a longstanding issue at Brown, where outdoor fields were often unavailable due to inclement weather, and indoor practice options were limited. The facility's all-season, climate-controlled space allows for expanded access to athletic activities and opportunities for both varsity athletes and the broader campus community.

The details

The Penner Field House is lined for football, lacrosse, soccer, and rugby, and equipped with divider curtains that allow the playing surface to be split into multiple sections. The facility also includes approximately 2,500 square feet dedicated to strength and conditioning, giving students additional space for individual workouts and team training.

  • The Penner Field House opened in January 2026.
  • Prior to the facility's opening, outdoor fields at Brown were often unavailable due to rain, snow, or extreme temperatures.

The players

Carrie Walton Penner and Greg Penner

Brown parents who provided a generous gift to name the new Penner Field House.

Joy Okonye

A senior and midfielder on Brown's varsity women's soccer team.

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What they’re saying

“Just having the option to play inside, especially when it's freezing outside, is huge - it's something we didn't have before.”

— Joy Okonye, Varsity Women's Soccer Player

The takeaway

The Penner Field House represents a significant investment by Brown University in expanding access to athletic facilities and opportunities for its students, addressing a longstanding need for an all-season, climate-controlled space for both varsity and recreational use.