For immediate release

September 21, 2010

Kwantlen announces grand opening of $2.85-million soccer field in Surrey

(METRO VANCOUVER, B.C.) In a joint partnership with City of Surrey and the federal government, Kwantlen Polytechnic University announces the grand opening of the $2.85-million artificial turf field project at Newton Athletic Park in Surrey. Dignitaries including Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts, Kwantlen president and vice-chancellor David W. Atkinson and MP Nina Grewal will provide welcome remarks during the opening ceremony.

“I’m especially excited by the opening of this facility,” says Kwantlen president and vice-chancellor David Atkinson. “As a former varsity student-athlete, I know the importance of providing top-level training and playing facilities for our athletes. As we grow and evolve as a university, we are committed to ensuring that we provide our students with every opportunity to succeed, both as scholars and as athletes. This field is amongst the very best at any university in Canada.”

Acquiring a permanent home field for its varsity soccer team, the Eagles, Kwantlen contributed $1,050,000 to this project while the City of Surrey and the federal government added $1,133,000 and $667,000, respectively, to support sports facilities and recreational activities in the community. This artificial turf field project at Newton Athletic Park will include a brand new artificial turf soccer field, lighting suitable for television broadcasts, seating for 500 spectators and storage facilities.

Atkinson is especially enthusiastic about what this field means for the community, “This innovative funding partnership demonstrates how a university can work with government to create a fabulous community asset,” he says. “This facility, to be shared with the City, provides a much-needed all-weather surface for athletes of all ages and abilities. It’s not just the home of our varsity soccer teams; it’s a demonstration of what is possible for the community when we work together.”

Following the opening ceremony, the Kwantlen Eagles will debut the first soccer games played on this new field as its men’s and women’s teams face off with the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack in a double header.
Kwantlen’s varsity athletics teams are the Kwantlen Eagles. In basketball, soccer, badminton and golf, they compete in national intercollegiate leagues. For more information about the Kwantlen Eagles or view live webcast, visit kwantlen.ca/eagles or follow the Eagles on Twitter: KwantlenEagles

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For more information about this story or the Eagles Athletics program, contact:
Elise Le Brun
Director, Athletics & Recreation
Tel: 604.599.2980
athletics@kwantlen.ca

OR

For more information about Kwantlen, contact:
Joanne Saunders
Director, Marketing and Communications
Tel: 604.599.2243
joanne.saunders@kwantlen.ca