The University of Connecticut football team will have new grass to play on next season, The Associated Press reports.
Officials at Rentschler Field announced Tuesday that after eight years it’s time to lay down new sod. Tests showed the turf has not been draining properly and is not supporting the proper grass strength.
The state Office of Policy and Management says there is money in the stadium’s capital reserve account to cover the estimated $150,000 cost of the project.
“The state has invested over $92 million in the stadium and it is critical that we continue to maintain the facility in first-class condition and to attract the very best in sports and entertainment events,” said James Abromaitis with the Office of Policy and Management.
The work, which begins this week, is expected to take about two weeks to complete. It will be another six to eight weeks before the field is ready for play.
For several weeks in February, Rentschler housed a temporary hockey rink.
The new turf comes from Tuckahoe Farms in Hammonton, N.J.
The Huskies are scheduled to open the 2011 season on Sept. 1 when they host Fordham and will play seven games at Rentschler Field during the 2011 season. The stadium also serves as home to the Hartford Colonials of the UFL.
There are no soccer games or other scheduled events that would be affected by the work, said Amanda Savio Guay, a spokeswoman for Bushnell Management Services, which runs the stadium for the state.
