Can you believe a University that was instrumental in the Ontario Pesticide Ban is replacing their Natural Turf with TOXIC SYNTHETIC TURF?
What about Dr. Eric Lyons, he is the expert on Natural Sports Fields, or was that a Misperception just like the Cosmetic Pesticide Ban and its benefits to human health and the Environment.
“I think we can overcome those challenges over the next few years, but it’s going to be rough,” said Dr. Eric Lyons, assistant professor of turfgrass science at the University of Guelph, speaking at the STA’s 22nd annual field day at Brantford, Ont.’s Lions Park.
This is exactly what Chip Osborne of Osborne Organics in the USA did with Marblehead Massachusetts. They (he is on the parks board of directors)converted their Natural sports field into Synthetic Turf. Yet Chip makes 10s of thousands of dollars a year promoting Natural Turf and the dangers of pesticides. https://pesticidetruths.com/2011/11/16/king-of-organics-chip-osborne-chair-of-1-5-million-dollar-artificial-sports-field-piper/
National Toxic Alliances will be concerned about the $1.5 Million Dollar Donation for TOXIC TURF.
Read about concerned residents and Synthetic Toxic Turf here:
https://pesticidetruths.com/2011/11/20/youtube-california-city-bans-artificial-grass-health-hazards/
https://pesticidetruths.com/2012/01/23/synthetic-lawn-is-toxic-turf/
Anonymous donor provides $1.5 million to U of G for stadium upgrades
The university announced Thursday that a local family — who wish to remain anonymous — made the donation, which is the largest ever received by the athletics department.
The donation will go toward converting the stadium’s playing surface from grass to a new synthetic turf.
“That will really just cover the cost of the field and maybe not even quite that,” said Tom Kendall, the university’s athletics director. “Normally to put a field in you’re looking at $1.8 to $1.9 million.”
Construction will begin “as soon as possible,” the university stated in a news release, with the goal of having the work done for the beginning of the fall semester and the first Gryphons home football game Sept. 15.
The turf upgrade is part of an estimated $4.9 million worth of work to be done on the stadium, which will include upgraded lighting. It will also likely mean a long-sought world-class running track is closer to reality.
During a meeting earlier this month with the Mercury’s Editorial Board, U of G president Alastair Summerlee hinted the school had been in talks with potential donors and added he was “quite optimistic” an announcement about the stadium upgrade was near.
Summerlee at the time also said the stadium is “in a worse state” than similar facilities at other universities and poses a “big competitive issue” for the university.
Kendall said the athletics department is restricted by the current surface.
“You can’t use a natural turf field for more than two hours a day and once it’s gone it’s gone,” he said. “With a synthetic field you can use it 17 or 18 hours a day because it doesn’t break down. It will significantly increase our programming time.”
He noted that could see benefits beyond the athletic world, as the new field can be used for events such as concerts and Orientation Week.
“I have wanted for I don’t know how long to put on a big show in that stadium,” said Sam Baijal, artistic director of the Hillside Festival and a university employee. “With synthetic turf you’ll be able to do things in there you couldn’t ever do before.
“It looks like we’re finally going to be able to do what I’ve wanted to do for about 25 years.”
Dave Scott-Thomas, head coach of the university’s track and field program and founder of the Speed River Track and Field Club, said in November fundraising efforts were underway to cover the cost of an eight-lane track that could cost as much as $2 million.
Scott-Thomas said several local companies had expressed a willingness to financially support the project, estimating between $200,000 and $300,000 in pledges had been lined up.
“We have a couple of companies right now that, if we have a firm target, we could go tomorrow and they would cut a cheque for it,” Scott-Thomas said at the time.
Scott-Thomas was travelling Thursday and could not be reached for comment, but Kendall suggested a new track will likely be part of the Alumni Stadium upgrades.
“When you start a project like this that takes up the whole area it makes sense to do it all at once, so we’re hopeful we can get the track completed by fall as well,” Kendall said, noting efforts are underway to secure donations for that.
stracey@guelphmercury.com
