New Field Turf Completed Inside Arizona Stadium
TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona Athletics Department has completed the new field turf inside Arizona Stadium. Arizona Athletics partnered with Lloyd Sports Engineers and KappCon during the $1.3 million-dollar investment in the new Field Turf Vortex Core with Purefill for cooling purposes.
"As we've done with all of our enhancements over the years, we continually look to improve our athletic venues with new technology to ensure our student-athletes have a first-class experience," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Heeke. "The long-term vision of our football facility is a critical piece to the future of our entire athletics department, and I know our supporters will also enjoy the refresh of the playing surface at Arizona Stadium."
The work was performed by KappCon and Lloyd Sports Engineers over three months from May to July 2022. The finishing touches included changes to the logos in the end zones, Bear Down logo in white on all four corners of the field, and the removal of the ghosted Bear Down logo down the center of the field, which was replaced with the traditional Block A.
Arizona has made continuous fan experience enhancements for Arizona Football game days over the last six years. The department completed comprehensive facility enhancements as part of its "Wildcat Way" Strategic Plan, which included the $30 million renovation of the lower east side of Arizona Stadium and the creation of the $16.5 million Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center. The overhaul of the east side of the football facility completely renovated the Zona Zoo student section while adding new restrooms, concessions, game day retail shop, and open-air patio areas while connecting the north and south ends of the stadium for improved fan movement.
The Davis Sports Center, built across the street from Arizona Stadium, is a state-of-the-art indoor practice facility for Arizona Football and other programs. The climate-controlled space is also a key hospitality area on football gamedays, providing a dynamic indoor tailgating area that is available to all fans with a ticket to the game.
Arizona Athletics continued its improvements prior to the 2019 season with the creation of the SkyBox Club on the west side, which added a new modern and re-imagined premium hospitality area. The SkyBox Club is a unique open-air environment with new sound systems, tv displays, picturesque views of Tucson, and premium food options. Arizona Stadium's west side also saw seats widened for additional comfort, enhanced restrooms, and points of sale for concessions, the addition of a new Coors Light Patio, more TV displays around concession areas, and the installation of the new KidCats Den play area for the youngest of Wildcat fans.
The athletics department has made other improvements and enhancements in recent years to the Dunlap Stadium Club, the Arizona Sands Club as well as many of the key areas within the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility.