Photo By Josh Schaefer/Huskie Athletics

It was made official Friday morning…the provincial government is providing $3.14 million in funding to the U of S for artificial turf replacement at Griffiths Stadium.

The new turf will replace the original Griffiths Stadium artificial surface that is about 13 years old. The total surface area will be expanded to accomodate regulation-sized football and soccer games, meaning the end of the track that surrounds the field. The new turf will also improve shock absorption and lessen the chance of injury. The funding will also go towards updating the Stadium’s lighting in order to reduce power consumption. Work will begin later this month and be completed by 2021. Following is the news release from Huskie Athletics…..

SASKATOON-The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has received $3.14 million in funding from the Government of Saskatchewan for its artificial turf replacement project at Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park.

“The current surface has seen about 13 years of use, so we are extremely grateful for the support from the provincial government to upgrade our most heavily-used outdoor athletics facility,” said USask President Peter Stoicheff.

In addition to replacing the turf, the project will include:

• a field expansion to accommodate regulation-sized football and soccer events;
• improving shock absorption to lessen the chance of injury;
• an update to lighting that will reduce power consumption.

“This investment will generate lasting benefits for Saskatoon’s local sports community, the city of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan and our province,” said Advanced Education Minister Tina Beaudry-Mellor. “By expanding the field, upgrading the lighting and creating a safer playing surface for athletes and community users, we are helping transform Griffiths Stadium into a world-class university sports facility.”

Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park is central to the USask student experience and is highly utilized by Saskatoon residents for their community sports and outdoor activities. Once completed, the stadium will be well positioned to host events such as U Sports championships.

“At USask, our connection to the broader community is always a priority, and this upgraded state-of-the-art field will benefit the city,” said Stoicheff. “It also represents a big step toward making Huskie Athletics the top athletics program in Canada.”

“Griffiths Stadium is where myself and my teammates, along with so many other student-athletes, met for the first time, so it holds a special place in many of our hearts,” said Huskie women’s soccer player Taniel Gay. “For the Huskie women’s soccer team specifically, we always look forward to our one game a season where we play under the lights at Griffiths Stadium because the atmosphere is amazing. Having the stadium revamped will make those experiences even better.”

Work on the project is set to begin in July and continue into October.