Replacing the turf at the Yara Centre has been underway for some time now and is still weeks away from completion.
May 20 was when the crew arrived in Moose Jaw to tear out the old turf, as the insulation is about a six-week process. The turf and track will be reopened to the public on June 30, stated Recreation Services Manager Scott Osmachenko.
"We wanted to be closed in what we call like our quiet time in May and June. So that was kind of the intent to get it installed."
Currently, the crew is stitching and installing the lines on the turf. After that, the rubber pellets will be added and then groomed to level out the surface. The biggest change to the new turf is that there will now be permanent football lines, however, the turf itself is slightly different all around.
"It's a different company called FieldTurf. So they've installed surfaces all over North America. So we're excited to have that product in there. It's new technology from when the original turf was installed back in 2011," stated Osmachenko.
The reason for the new lines being added is that numerous football programs in and around Moose Jaw utilize the field on an annual basis, including the Sask Selects Football Program.
"For the last five or six years, we've been having to paint lines with temporary paint, so this is going to be truly amazing. The City of Moose Jaw stepped up for us," stated Coach Zeljko of the Selects.
As for the old turf, the city is looking to repurpose pieces of it around town. So far, some of it has gone to the Hillcrest Golf Course, Moose Jaw Little League, and the Golden Ticket Sports Centre.
The expected life span of the new turf is the same as the old, lasting anywhere between 10 - 15 years.