THAT In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 1003.7, the Board of Regents of the Montana University
System authorizes the University of Montana– Missoula to expend up to $500,000 to replace turf at
Washington-Grizzly Stadium
.
EXPLANATION
The current artificial turf at Washington-Grizzly Stadium was installed in July 2008. With seven years of
service, the turf is not wearing well and has created safety concerns for users. This past winter was alarmingly impactful on the artificial fibers, rendering them inflexible. Years of frost heaves have caused the base to lift and subsequently sink on the west side and in the north end zone. As part of regular maintenance, Intercollegiate Athletics planned to replace the turf in July 2017.
However, a number of favorable factors have led to this request.
• The contractor, FieldTurf, signed a cooperative purchasing agreement with the State of Montana
and the Montana University System in January 2015 which guarantees a negotiated price for turf
replacement, eliminating the requirement to bid for services. FieldTurf is the industry leader in
artificial turf and performed exceptionally well with University of Montana’s softball complex and
Montana State University’s Bobcat Stadium.
• FieldTurf will likely be in Missoula this July working on the track project at Missoula County
Stadium at Big Sky High School. At that time, they could remove the old turf, base grade and
install a new and have it complete prior to fall camp for football.
• In consideration of their ability to capitalize on their resources in Missoula this summer, their
concern for the shape of the existing turf and the fiscal affairs of Intercollegiate Athletics,
FieldTurf has agreed to delay billing and expectation of payment until the 1st quarter of 2018.
• Intercollegiate Athletics is planning to spend $10,000 on the existing turf in fiscal year 2017 for
repair and maintenance to minimize field use liability if the old turf remains .