Hope dedicated its new Van Andel Soccer Stadium with a daylong celebration that included varsity men’s and women’s soccer matches, youth exhibition games, a community picnic and a fireworks display.

“This is an exceptional facility for the Hope and Holland (Michigan) communities,” said college President James E. Bultman of the $5.3 million facility, which was built on the site of existing soccer fields and complements the school’s recently expanded athletics complex.

“When we envisioned a stadium in this natural setting, we knew it would be special,” Bultman said. “In reality it has far exceeded our expectations. We are so grateful to David and Carol Van Andel for their vision and generosity in making this project come to such marvelous fruition.”

The facility includes stadium-style and bleacher seating for 1,400 fans and a training room, meeting room for visiting teams, ticket booth and press box, along with amenities for fans. It also has artificial turf and lighting for night games.

School officials expect that the stadium will host college and high school championship events and local soccer competition.

Opening day attracted a record crowd for a Hope women’s soccer victory over Trine, then drew a standing-room-only crowd of more than 1,500 fans to watch the Hope and Kalamazoo men battle to a scoreless, double-overtime tie.