U of T proves smaller can be better with outstanding multi-sport facility

January 26, 2007
GEORGE GROSS
Toronto Sun

"If you build it, they will come."

And so on a recent cold, blustery morning, I interrupted my vacation and walked into Varsity Stadium where dozens of golfers were hitting balls inside a bubble-topped driving range erected over the facility’s new artificial turf.

It is an inspiring sight to see the centre of Toronto now adorned by a FIFA-approved soccer field, one of only four such facilities in North America.

Dr. Bruce Kidd, dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Health at the University of Toronto and a former star Canadian middle distance runner, conducted the grand tour.

It was at this very site 45 years ago that Kidd beat Hungary’s Laszlo Tabori, then the top European middle distance runner. Of course, it was on a track that no longer exists, gone with the old Varsity Stadium natural-grass field and 21,000 seats.

"We wanted to add something to the cultural centre of Toronto, next to the Royal Ontario Museum, the Gardiner Museum and the Royal Ontario Conservatory for Music," Kidd said.

SEVERAL PROPOSALS

"Over the past few years we studied several proposals and ideas and came to the realization that there was not enough space to support a large stadium with a track.

"It led us to consider a smaller stadium with a proper track and an open space giving people a chance to see athletes perform."

The university’s leadership tossed away the idea of building student residences, or leasing off the Bloor Street section of the old stadium in order to pay for sports facilities. And it didn’t want a 25,000-seat stadium.

Kidd and his superiors came to the conclusion that with 60,000 students in the fold, they needed a facility to accommodate a number of sports, particularly in view of the fact that 100 soccer teams were waiting for intramural competition.

"We can now increase the times for intramural soccer 15 fold and double the time for intercollegiate teams," Kidd said.

"On the new artificial turf called Polytan Ligaturf, we have students playing soccer, rugby, lacrosse, football, alternative frisbee and golf. The driving range is free in January and after that visitors will pay $23.50 an hour and students $17.50. The advantage of the Polytan Ligaturf is a short maintenance time compared to four to six hours a day for natural grass.

"In April, when the weather gets better, they’ll lay down an internationally accepted eight-lane running track which we chose after consultation with our coaches. The first big track event will be an international meet July 7 and 8."

And what will all this cost?

"What you see is Phase 1 of the project," Kidd said. "The stadium will cost $24 million and will be paid for in its entirety by the U of T. The dome (golf bubble) is Canadian made by a Guelph company called Yeadon and cost $1.4 million. It takes 48 hours to put it up and about the same time to take it down.

TWO-STAR RATING

"The field itself is a layered system with soft, grass-like fibres laid on top of a 25 millimetre elastic support layer and can absorb even a 40-millimetre rain. The field was given a two-star rating by FIFA and we are now negotiating with them to hold a referees training camp for the world under-20 championship here this year."

The 5,000-seat stadium and track is Phase 1 of U of T’s program. Phase 2 will include the Centre for High Performance Sport, with a scientific laboratory for athlete testing, locker and shower rooms, offices and storage. They also plan a major renovation of Varsity Arena, which was built in 1926.

During our tour of the new stadium, students came in to participate in various events and as some were leaving, one remarked, "I loved it so much, I don’t want to leave."

Yes, they came, the played and they wanted to stay. Maybe our Toronto and provincial politicians finally will get the message.