Province contributes $300,000 to fix of U of C field hockey pitch

A $300,000 grant is going to go a long way for an aging University of Calgary field hockey pitch.

The government cash will go toward resurfacing Hawkings Field — home of the university’s women’s field hockey team — extending the life of the facility by 15 years.

“Our investment in improvements to Hawkings Field will benefit more than 2,000 area athletes who can continue to enjoy their favourite sport in a high-quality facility they can be proud of,” said Culture and Tourism Minister Ricardo Miranda. “Helping to ensure access to public sport and recreation facilities in communities across the province makes life better for Albertans pursuing healthy, active lifestyles.”

Along with the university team, 1,300 Alberta Field Hockey Association members and more than 700 Calgary high school athletes use the field. The grant is coupled with $700,000 in previously funded money, which will bring the total project cost to $1 million.

Burgundy Biletski, executive director of the Alberta Field Hockey Association, called the grant a gift.

“It is an amazing gift to thousands of field hockey athletes and enthusiasts across the province, and allows our sport to continue to flourish and expand in Alberta,” she said.

The grant was provided through the Community Facility Enhancement Program.