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Two city schools receive $4.5 million for artificial turf

The football fields at St. Patrick High School and St. Ignatius will soon be replaced with artificial turf by September 1.
St Ignatius_ProjectBoard

THUNDER BAY -- The football fields at St. Patrick High School and St. Ignatius will soon be replaced with artificial turf.

The Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board held a news conference on Thursday morning to announce the major facility upgrades.

Director of Education Pino Tassone said it’s a $4.5-million investment at both facilities to install FIFA quality artificial turf and rubberized 400-metre tracks.

“They are going to start as early as spring,” Tassone said. “They are going to start excavation, which will begin right away and hopefully the ground will not be frozen.”

Tassone said the general contractors have worked on many artificial turf fields all over Ontario and they have promised, weather permitting, the fields will be complete no later than Sept. 1.

The contractors could have both fields complete by August, but the board provided the extra month in case they encounter any issues with installation.

The project costs are covered by a combination of a School Condition Improvement Grant funded from the province and Board Working Funds allocated to capital.

“We have received two installments over two years, so I would say anywhere between 50 to 60 per cent will be funded by the ministry and the second portion will be funded through a Board Working Grant,” he said.

Tassone said the artificial turf will save more than $60 thousand a year in maintenance costs and some opportunity for community use could bring in some revenue.

“Over many years we are going to save a bundle of money and in 25 years we will have our money back in regards to what we pay for this.”

He added this project is a huge opportunity to enhance the physical education program and host a variety of sports tournaments including track, soccer and lacrosse.





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