U of L community stadium opens on new turf

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on August 27, 2022.

Herald photos by Ry Clarke Elder Francis First Charger speaks during a blessing of the newly renovated turf Friday at the University of Lethbridge Community Stadium. Below: Jonas Freedman, Morgan Monroe, Mayor Blaine Hyggen, Mike Mahon, and Keegan Brantner perform a ceremonial kick-off.

The University of Lethbridge officially reopened its Community Sports Stadium turf for community use Friday with a blessing from Francis First Charger, elder in residence at the university.

First Charger was joined by Mayor Blaine Hyggen and Mike Mahon, president and vice-chancellor for the university, welcoming members of the community back to the field.

The $911,000 renovation of the playing surface replaced the 12-year-old turf with new FieldTurf enhancing the playability of the stadium in line with Canadian Football League and National Football League stadiums across North America.

The facility will accommodate the Pronghorn Athletics while also welcoming minor sports from throughout the region.

“It’s good to have something like this for the students and also the community,” said First Charger. “The young people can have a place to excel in the different sports they play here. I’ll be praying for the people that come here to visit and play.”

First Charger spoke about the importance of having the blessing and why it is significant for both spirit and relations.

“In our Blackfoot way, anything that’s new we will always bless it for the people that commute to enjoy it. It is part of our ways, anything we have, we always show appreciation for the Creator for what is provided to us. Today we bless this field, and it is an honour and privilege to be asked. I pray for all the visitors that come here that they have safety for them and their families,” said First Charger.

Mike Mahon spoke on the importance of the facility for not only the university, but the community.

“We’re also celebrating the fact that this field is very much about Pronghorn Athletics, about student athletes, but it’s also about high school student athletes. Young kids playing soccer, those fun track meets that junior elementary schools and junior high schools have out here on a warm, June afternoon. That’s what this field is about. We’re so grateful to have the partnership that we have between all of the different community members,” said Mahon. “I look forward to cheering on our teams, but also look forward to seeing the many football games played here, and more. The end zones are amazing, and to have those high school logos represented on this field in that significant way is awesome.

Working towards community and relationships the university’s new field will welcome many to its newly-renovated space and work to keep partnerships strong with all, including its cultural heritage.

“Mike Mahon, and the rest of the people at the university, have been very good at including us and making our culture a part of the university, and we appreciate that. Anything that is happening, he includes us and even asks us for advice on how it should be culturally and politically appropriate,” said First Charger.