Masich Place Stadium is off-limits for public use during the COVID-19 pandemic but it will eventually reopen and the City of Prince George is going ahead with the next phase of renovations to the facility.
On Friday, a Westcana Electric crew began to install an 11-foot X 16-foot LED scoreboard at the south end of the stadium field. The board will allow video displays, graphics and animations to enhance the facility for sport participants, officials and spectators. Including the fixture on which it will be mounted, the structure will stand 24 feet high and 19 feet wide, with the scoreboard positioned 12 feet off the ground.
Masich Place Stadium and its all-weather field is the home of the Prince George Track and Field Club, the UNBC Timberwolves men’s and women’s soccer teams, high school football and rugby, and is used for other sports and cultural events. As part of the upgraded clock, Westcana is also installing delay-of-game timers to be used for football or field lacrosse.
On contract with the city, Houle Electric is installing LED lighting around the field to replace halogen lights. The newer technology improves visibility at night and is more efficient to save on electricity costs.
Work is proceeding and nearing completion for two new universal washrooms and to refurbish existing men’s and women’s washrooms. Improvements are also upcoming to the food concession area, change rooms and referees’ rooms.
A new score booth is being built along the top of the grandstand which will be heated and insulated, with windows. The booth will house control components for the scoreclock, digital display and sound system.
Wheelchair-accessible seating at either end of the grandstand will replace the ramps and stairs. Those areas will have glass railings to allow unobstructed views of the stadium playing field.
The city has already completed projects to install an all-weather field, a new cushioned 400-metre running track, enhanced facilities for track and field and stadium seating improvements.
The improvements will all be in place by the summer of 2022, when Masich Place Stadium will be a focal point for the B.C. Summer Games. The stadium along Massey Drive is also the site of the 2021 B.C. track and field championships.
Due to the pandemic, the stadium will remain closed to the public until at least May 30.
