UPEI's new artificial turf set to be ready for fall season
Federal, provincial government commit funding along with UPEI and Holland College
The new artificial turf will be in place at the University of Prince Edward Island for the fall season after funding was announced Wednesday.
A total of $851,000 will be spent to replace the old artificial turf after it was deemed unsafe in April. The federal government, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency will contribute $251,000 and the provincial government $250,000.
UPEI will spend $250,000 and Holland College is contributing $100,000 to the project.
- UPEI hopeful soccer turf can be repaired by fall
- UPEI closes artificial turf soccer field after report says turf is done
In addition to being used by UPEI's student athletes for field hockey and soccer, the artificial turf is also used by community groups and residents.
We have committed $250,000 for the new turf at the University of Prince Edward Island <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PEI?src=hash">#PEI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UPEI">@UPEI</a> <a href="https://t.co/fNrM7SvoLc">pic.twitter.com/fNrM7SvoLc</a>
—@RichardBrownPEI"The improvements will expand the turf's lifespan and provide users with an improved playing experience. The upgrades will allow the Province to continue hosting future tournaments and sporting events at the facility," said Richard Brown, Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning.
Turf deemed unsafe
The soccer field was closed after a report commissioned by UPEI said the turf was done and was unsafe. The engineering firm recommended the turf be replaced immediately.
The unsafe turf led P.E.I. Soccer Association to withdraw an opportunity to host the Under-16 National Soccer championships after it could not guarantee to the Canadian Soccer Association that the artificial turf at UPEI would be replaced by October.
The tender to replace the artificial was awarded to a Quebec company. They will remove and dispose of the old artificial turf, and remove some of the underlying base material. In its place will be installed new free draining crushed rock, base material and new artificial turf field.
UPEI expects the new artificial turf to be ready for use by the end of September.
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With files from Sarah MacMillan