Nexxfield’s test artificial turf scores points with football club
Football players and coaches are returning positive reviews of a test turf that could replace the controversial new surface at Minto Field.
Now it’s up to the city to decide if it will go through with another surface swap-out.
The city is considering changing the artificial turf at Minto Field after hearing complaints from sports teams, especially football teams, about terrible abrasions caused by the surface.
The city recently organized some times for sports teams to test a turf product made by Nexxfield.
Scott Boxall, president of the Myers Riders football club, said the turf tests went well for the football representatives. The club is pleased with the quality of the turf and has requested a blade height that should be installed, Boxall said.
The city also wants buy-in from field hockey teams that have called Minto Field home. In fact, when the city went looking for a surface to replace the old Astroturf, it put a call out for high-calibre field hockey turf.
Sandeep Chopra, the director of player development for the Nepean Nighthawks field hockey club, said the test turf would be slower than the turf currently installed at Minto Field — the roll of the ball is a key part of that sport — but the club is willing to accept it.
“We need something that’s going to work for everybody,” Chopra said.
“We’re resigned to the fact that we have to share with the other sports.”
Chopra said he was already familiar with the test turf since the Nexxfield product is installed in the Carleton University Fieldhouse.
At last check, new turf could cost the city about $500,000. The city just replaced the turf at Minto Field in 2015 for $1.3 million.
The big challenge for the city is finding a turf product that suits football and field hockey teams, while also accommodating other sports like soccer and lacrosse. There are limited options that can equally handle such a wide range of sports.
When it comes to football and field hockey, it’s almost impossible to find a single artificial turf that’s perfect for both sports.
Dan Chenier, the city’s general manager of parks and recreation, said the city hasn’t made a decision on what it will do about the Minto Field turf. Staff are still evaluating the results of the turf trials and the suitability of the product, Chenier said. jwilling@postmedia.com twitter.com/JonathanWilling