The University of Illinois Springfield athletic department officially launched this week a campaign to raise $1 million to replace the grass on its soccer field at Kiwanis Stadium with an artificial playing surface.
The university hopes to meet its fundraising goal and have the new playing surface ready for the men’s and women’s seasons in August 2017. Private funds will be the driving force.
The field will be used for college and high school matches as well as intramural and extracurricular events.
The current field needs an overhaul. A grub infestation caused damage this season and there have been past problems. “With the new technology in artificial turf and drainage systems, this is the way to go for our program moving forward. I am very excited for this new project to take shape and for our program to return to the glory days of (former coach Aydin Gonulsen),” UIS men’s soccer coach Adam Hall said.
This story appeared in The State Journal Register on November 16, 2016.
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