Masich Place Stadium is scheduled for some significant upgrades to the tune of $4.2 million.
“It’ll bring it up to an International Association of Athletics Federations compliant facility,” says Alan Clark, a city infrastructure engineer and the project’s manager. “The project actually includes four basic components: new synthetic turf on the infield, consolidated jump areas and permanent throwing areas and facilities and a resurfaced track.”
$3.2 million of the total price tag is being covered by the federal gas tax. The City of Prince George is pitching in $750,000 and Northern Development’s Economic Diversification program
Clark says the planned improvements will have many benefits for the community.
“We can get earlier and later season play on the turf field, which is unavailable now because of the damage that happens up here in the north. We’ll be able to host national, regional and provincial competitions. The open house is on Tuesday evening from 5:30-8:30. We welcome the public to come out.”
Clark says the project is just the first step toward the stadium’s future.
“To put this together, we had to look at the whole picture and what we’d like to see in the end. They’ll be some additional throwing cages so we can have events throwing both ways and a few other minor changes like that. There’s interest in football and soccer from UNBC.”
Clark says design for the initial stage is being done this year with construction slated for next year.
Drop by Masich Place Stadium any time between 5:30 and 8:30 to take a look and let City Staff know what you think. Layout plans will be on display and the project’s architect and designers will be on hand along with City staff.
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