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Prince George, B.C. – Work started this morning on long-awaited upgrades and improvements to Masich Place Stadium in Prince George.

The redevelopment will include a new synthetic turf infield which will be able to accommodate a CFL-sized field and meet FIFA and World Rugby regulations.

It will also feature permanent throwing facilities and cages, track resurfacing, and upgrades such as trail redevelopment.

“And now sports teams will be able to host provincials because there’s a requirement to have a synthetic field to allow for the certainty of your field use in the spring and late fall,” says Laurie-Ann Kosec, strategic parks planner for the city. “Plus, synthetic turf fields have four times the playing capacity of a natural turf field so it extends our season in a big way.”

Once complete, the facility will encompass both the stadium and PGSS fields along Massey Drive.

Funding for the $4.4 million redevelopment project has been provided through a $3.2 million investment from the federal Gas Tax Fund.

A further $925,000 will come from the City’s 2017 Capital Expenditure Program and $250,000 from Northern Development’s Economic Diversification Infrastructure Program.

Kosec adds the facility will be the first of its kind in northern B.C.

“This is going to be the first synthetic turf field north of Kamloops. It will serve a radius of 500 kilometres and will serve as a regional training venue.”

Masich Place Stadium closed for the season last weekend. Construction is expected to be completed by late fall and reopened to the public next spring.