Masich Place Stadium will go through a major facelift after the final piece of the funding puzzle for a $4.2-million project was confirmed Friday.
The work will include installation of a synthetic field as well as a resurfaced track at the stadium.
A consolidated jumps area and permanent throwing facilities and cages will be placed on the adjacent Prince George Senior Secondary field, where a new paved walking path is also on order.
The new field will meet standards for international socccer and rugby as well as the Canadian Football League, and will allow for earlier and later-season play than natural turf allows, according to the city.
It's also hoped the improvements will help draw more events to Prince George.
At $3.2 million, the federal government will be the biggest contributor to the project. The money will come out of the federal-municipal gas tax fund. The city is putting in $775,000 and the Northern Development Initiative Trust $250,000.
"This generous investment allows Prince George to give sporting groups a home - a dependable home - and allows more teams to use the field and other parts of the facility for more of the year," Mayor Lyn Hall said. "That's a direct investment in the athletes and in the health of our community."
Designs for the new facilities will be under development this spring, with construction expected to begin in 2017.
