Tech Center Drillfield

The Drillfield is a 1.5 acre park-like setting with an expansive green space bookended by two hardscape areas – the sculpture plaza and the pavilion stage plaza, located in the heart of Tech Center Research Park. The sculpture, titled “The Starfinder”, was commissioned by W. M. Jordan in partnership with the Newport News Public Art Foundation, and was created by artist Owen Morrell.

Tech Center Research Park is one of several entities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center Enterprise and will consist of 10 research and development buildings upon completion. The Drillfield was created to bring interaction with the tenants of the Research Park, and to bring out the Hampton Roads community, a green, social, and active space. The space hosts events such as Block Parties, with food trucks, live music, and entertainment to get people out of their homes and to promote a sense of pride in where they live. The Drillfield is a unique space in that it has been specifically designed for this purpose, including power and water built into the benches lining the sides of the green space so that food trucks will not run generators. The bandshell is also outfitted with power to attract a variety of performers and is outfitted so that bands can set up their own lighting rigs from the ceiling.

The entire Drillfield totals 700’ long from tip to end, including the green space, sculpture plaza, and bandshell.