Athletics director says don't go natural

The director of athletics at UPEI is making a case for a million-dollar artificial turf field.

The field would be used for sporting events like soccer and field hockey. Wayne Hussey says the university needs an artificial grass field. He says its current natural grass fields aren't as strong as artificial turf, and are subject to damage due to overuse and bad weather.

"We have a lot of groups asking to use our fields, and unfortunately we can't always oblige, because the fields do take a lot of wear and tear," says Hussey. "If we let everybody use our current field then it wouldn't be in shape when we host our events."

There are some major sporting events coming to the province which will be using the facilities at UPEI including the 2005 Men's National Soccer Championship and the 2009 Canada Summer Games.

Hussey says events like these require a sturdier field, and concedes it will be expensive.

"The ballpark figure we're looking at is probably a million dollars," he says. "Then you're probably looking at maybe $200,000 for lighting, and then after that it becomes cosmetic in terms of stadium seating and what you're going to do."

The university president will have Hussey's formal proposal for the field within the next few days. If it gets approval, Hussey says the university may go to the community for help with funding.