Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa announced Thursday it will soon build a new turf soccer field which officials feel will bolster the school’s current soccer programs.
Construction on the turf field will begin May 16th, and officials say it should be completed and ready for play by August. The new field is phase one of a process at NNU that will eventually see lights installed in 2019, and the addition of club soccer and lacrosse programs.
“This is a real benefit for not just women’s and men’s soccer, but for the campus community as a whole,” Men’s Soccer Coach Joel DeLass said. In addition to club sports, the campus student body will have access to the turf field for intramural championship games, freeing up the existing fields for intramurals.
Many feel the new field should also be a boon in the recruiting process, as NNU will join the majority of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in having a turf-playing surface. “It is a huge step forward to getting recruits,” said Women’s Soccer Coach Mary Trigg. “This helps us stay with the high level of our conference.”
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be able to provide a high-quality field for our student-athletes and coaches,” NNU athletic director Kelli Lindley said. “This is an exciting time for NNU athletics as we continue to make significant progress on and off the playing surface within the GNAC and NCAA Division II.”
It will also be the only turf soccer field in the city of Nampa and will be available for rental usage for high schools, clubs and adult leagues. NNU will continue to offer its indoor turf field for rent as well.
The surface is called FieldTurf CORE 2.0. “It’s a top-of-the-line surface that was recently installed at Gillette Stadium where the New England Patriots and New England Revolution play,” said NNU spokesman Rob O’Donahue.
The new field is just one of many ongoing projects at NNU.
The school recently broke ground on a new $15 million student commons.
Also, in the past three years, athletics resurfaced, new bleachers were added inside the Johnson Sports Center, stands were constructed at the Bobby Halle Softball Complex, and new grandstands and a press box were installed at the Elmore W. Vail baseball field.
