Kwantlen to get a new stadium and field
Kwantlen athletes will have more space to train and practice, thanks to a new school field.
By Kassandra Linklater/Dominic Sramaty [News Editor/Sports Bureau Chief]
If you’ve walk by Surrey Campus’ gym lately, you’ll notice one thing hangs prominently from the rafters simply because it hangs alone: a provincial championship banner. Last year the Kwantlen women’s soccer team won gold at provincials and came third and nationals.
Since the introduction of the soccer program at Kwantlen in 2006 both soccer teams have been using a torn-up grass field for BCCAA league games and it simply does not get the job done.
Often the fields are not available for practice so the teams use the artificial turf field located right next to it. With two provincial-calibre teams competing next season, they simply need better training and playing conditions at home.
However, this will soon change for the Eagles, as a new sports field and stadium has been committed to the teams. In a recent press release, Kwantlen announced that it will give “$1.05 million to the creation of the new facility which, at a total cost of approximately $2.85 million, will become the home field for the Kwantlen Eagles’ varsity soccer program.”
The field will be built at Newton Athletic Park to replace the gravel pitches.
According to the plans, the field will also include a Kwantlen scoreboard, the university’s logo at midfield and seating for 500 spectators. The Kwantlen Athletic Department is wishing to have the field finished by late summer.
“This is an important development for Kwantlen as a university,” said David Atkinson, president and vice-chancellor of the university, according to a statement released by the university.
He went on to say, “Not only will it provide a first-class facility for varsity sports, but it will make available to our students a whole range of opportunities for intramurals and recreational activity. There is no question that a facility of this quality will allow Kwantlen Athletics to be positioned for future development.”
The Kwantlen Athletic Department is hoping to have the field finished by late summer. Realistically, the field will be done by the time the first home game rolls around in September.
