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1 : Montreal Expos choose FieldTurf for the Olympic Stadium
The Montreal Expos’ home field, the world-famous Olympic Stadium, has selected FieldTurf’s revolutionary artificial turf system. However, the real big news is that the home of the 1976 Olympic Games will use FieldTurf’s patented new technology: a removable/ convertible system.
Installed in individual 6ft by 12ft trays that are seamlessly joined together, approximately 2000 trays will transform the Olympic Stadium playing surface into the ultimate playing surface technology, in just hours. The Expos will begin the 2004 season on FieldTurf against the Philadelphia Phillies, on April 23rd.
Claude Delorme, Expos’ Executive Vice President, Business Affairs, said: “The new playing field will be a welcome improvement for the players in terms of safety and playability. It represents the closest synthetic surface to natural grass that we have seen on the market today.”
The new FieldTurf surface, which has been used by Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Devil Ray’s for the past four seasons, can also be quickly converted to accommodate other sports and events. This new removable FieldTurf system will be made available to venues all over the world on a one-time lease basis, enabling any park, arena, or stadium to host a variety of events. This key component satisfies the needs of the Olympic Installation Board (OIB).
“We’re looking forward to this installation. The Expos players and coaches will love our turf, and the new technology gives the OIB a lot of flexibility without sacrificing play quality, or more importantly, players’ careers,” commented FieldTurf CEO John Gilman, “While other venues have successfully hosted all types of events by putting flooring down on top of their permanent FieldTurf field, the Olympic Stadium was adamant about a removable system. This is exactly what they wanted and just what our new FieldTurf system delivers.”
Last year McGill University installed FieldTurf at the newly renovated Molson Stadium, which is the home field of the Montreal Alouettes. For the past few seasons the Alouettes have had to play their playoff games in the Olympic Stadium due to the need for increased seating capacity, in addition to the typically harsh November temperatures. Now the Alouettes will not have to worry about playing on the old, over-used, carpet-like surface, as they have in previous years.
According to Gilman, the fact that FieldTurf is FIFA Recommended means that: “The Olympic Stadium can look forward to hosting some of the biggest international soccer teams as well as the Canadian national soccer and rugby teams’ matches. We think this new field will have a tremendous impact on the Montreal sports scene, as well as on international sports and events.”
The Olympic Stadium has become the second Major League Baseball stadium to upgrade to FieldTurf’s revolutionary artificial grass system. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays installed FieldTurf at Tropicana Field in April of 2000. Other professional baseball teams currently playing on FieldTurf include: Tokyo Giants (Tokyo Dome); Yokohama Bay Stars (Yokohama Stadium); and the Guerreros de Oaxaca (Eduardo Vasconcelos Stadium).
For more information on FieldTurf, please visit: www.FieldTurf.com or call: +1 (800) 724-2969
2 : Bids sought for Major Study to Improve Cultural Facilities in Leeds, UK
Specialist consultants are being sought to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study into the development of new cultural facilities for Leeds (England) such as a concert hall, arena, conference or exhibition centre.
The Cultural Facilities Task Group was set up three months ago by the Leeds Cultural Partnership, part of the Leeds Initiative, to specifically address the issue of new cultural facilities, which the Initiative and the Council have identified as a priority and which many individuals and organisations have been calling for. The group, which represents both the private and the public sector, has now finalised the terms of reference for a wide-ranging study and secured agreement from Leeds City Council and Yorkshire Forward to fund it.
Official tender notices will be appearing in local and national press this week inviting expressions of interest from consultants with a view to tendering for the project. It is expected that consultants will be appointed in April, a draft report ready within three months and the full report completed by September.
The purpose of the feasibility study will be to establish the commercial, financial and physical viability of any new facilities for Leeds. Specifically the consultants will be asked to assess the demand for any new facilities, gaps in existing provision, options suitable for Leeds and the impact on existing facilities and venues.
They will study comparable existing and planned schemes elsewhere in the UK, and in particular their costs and funding. The financial and commercial elements of the study will include an assessment of the economic justification and benefits to Leeds and the wider region, sources of funding, running costs and potential income as well as the type of services and facilities that could be offered.
Physical requirements will be considered including site requirements, location, design, transport links and the role of the project in urban regeneration. The study will also include plans for future public consultation on its findings.
Commenting on the move, Tom Morton, chair of the Cultural Facilities Task Group, said: “This is such an important matter for the continued success and development of Leeds as a regional capital and major European city, that we have chosen to commission a thorough analysis by experts who have experience of such projects. We are very appreciative of the considerable support from Leeds City Council and Yorkshire Forward in funding the study.”
Cllr Judith Blake, chair of Leeds Cultural Partnership and deputy leader of Leeds City Council, commented: “The need to improve the cultural infrastructure of the city has been recognised by the Council and the Leeds Initiative in their long-term strategic plan for the city, Vision II. The support from the Council in part funding the study is testament to its commitment and recognition of the importance of the project to the city.”
Tom Riordan, director of strategy and policy at Yorkshire Forward, added: “We are happy to support the study which will establish the possible benefits that such facilities could bring to the Yorkshire and Humber region.”
The Cultural Facilities Task Group consists of representatives from the public and private sector including Leeds Cultural Partnership, Leeds Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Leeds City Council (Development and Learning & Leisure Departments), Leeds Property Developers’ Forum, Leeds International Music Centre Trust, Yorkshire Culture and Yorkshire Forward.
For further information please contact: Sally Corcoran, Communications Officer, on Tel: +44 (0) 113 247 8944 or email: sally.corcoran@leeds.gov.uk Alternatively, visit the website at: www.leedsinitiative.org
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