Iowa considers switching Kinnick Stadium field to synthetic
31 Jan, 2009 Athletic Turf NewsIOWA CITY — Kinnick Stadium could get a makeover — the field, that is.
University of Iowa officials are seeking permission to convert the natural grass playing surface at Kinnick to synthetic turf. This would be part of a $2 million drainage improvement and turf replacement project the Iowa state Board of Regents will consider at its board meeting next week, according to a recent article in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
Information about the Kinnick field project was included in the meeting agenda, which was released Thursday. Regents will have a one-day board meeting Tuesday in Ankeny and also will meet Monday in Ankeny, for a public strategic planning session, which will be attended by Gov. Chet Culver.
Iowa Hawkeye football fans should not fret. A new turf surface at Kinnick Stadium will not affect game play, UI Athletics Director Gary Barta said.
"The players won't notice any difference between grass and the new turf," Barta said in the article.
Barta said the turf they are seeking approval for is a new technology that is gaining popularity in the NFL and at the college level. Barta said six other Big Ten schools use artificial surface for football: Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio State, Indiana and the new stadium under construction on the University of Minnesota campus.
"Kinnick might switch to turf," by Brian Morelli, Iowa City Press-Citizen, Jan. 30, 2009
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