UPEI's new artificial turf set to be ready for fall season

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 andthe provincial government $250,000.

UPEI will spend $250,000 and Holland College is contributing $100,000 to the project.

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In addition to beingusedbyUPEI'sstudent athletes for fieldhockeyand soccer, theartificial turf is also used by community groups and residents.

"The improvements will expand the turf'slifespanand provide users with an improved playing experience. The upgrades will allow the Province to continue hosting future tournaments and sporting events at the facility," saidRichard Brown, Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning.

Turf deemed unsafe

The soccer field was closed after a report commissioned by UPEIsaid the turf was done and was unsafe. The engineering firm recommended the turf be replaced immediately.

The unsafe turf ledP.E.I. Soccer Association to withdrawan opportunity to hostthe Under-16 National Soccer championships after it could not guarantee to the Canadian Soccer Associationthat the artificial turf at UPEI wouldbe 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 theunderlying base material. In its place will be installednew free draining crushed rock, base material and new artificial turf field.

UPEI expects thenew artificialturf to be ready for use by the end of September.

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