Time slipping away from those hoping to have artificial field at UNBSJ this year

SAINT JOHN - The window of opportunity to get the refurbishment of Canada Games Stadium completed this summer is closing quickly.

The project would include the installation of an artificial turf field, state-of-the-art running track and lights for evening usage, among other features.

Paul Howard of Field Turf, a company that manufactures and installs artificial turf fields, said it takes approximately six weeks or more to get a field fully installed and ready for play.

"It's the base work that requires a little longer time, putting in the drainage system and that can take between two to four weeks," Howard said. "To put the turf down and get it all ready for play takes about two to three weeks."

"The later in the year you start, the worse it gets because you're into the rainy season and it's hard to finish up in the fall," Howard said.

So the longer it takes to secure funding, the more it looks like the project won't become a reality this year.

Renovations to the stadium, located at the University of New Brunswick Saint John campus, are expected to cost $5.6 million.

The city, Brunswick Pipeline and UNBSJ have earmarked $2.8 million, although the university's commitment hinges on federal and provincial support. That leaves the provincial and federal governments left to come up with the remaining $2.8 million.

Barry Ogden, chairman of the city's recreation and leisure services board, said the holdup can be frustrating.

"We went to the public three times and then went out and got letters of support representing thousands of children and families, so we've definitely done our homework," Ogden said. "What I'm hearing now is people are getting frustrated because the construction season is so weather related."

Howard said conditions need to be completely dry when putting in the silica sand and cryogenic rubber that goes underneath the artificial turf surface. As for the ground conditions at UNBSJ, Howard said there are a couple of issues that could add a few days to construction once the project is set.

"I haven't seen the geotech report (for the site), but there are some sinkholes that need to get resolved and there's top soil that needs to be taken out," Howard said.

Despite the tight time frame, Ogden said he still sees an opening and is hoping funding will come through.

"I think we've still got a chance, but we need an answer (on funding)," he said.

Provincial officials, including Premier Shawn Graham, have said they support the project, but said funding may not be available because the government is investing $45 million in the city's community college system this year.

Saint John MP Rodney Weston provided a glimmer of hope last week when he said he would look at other federal funding programs that don't require matching funds if the province is unable to pay its share. Weston said he would rather have matching provincial dollars and called the suggestion of going it alone a last resort.

The MP also suggested that without the provincial government's share of funding, the project could be scaled back dramatically.