York University will embark on a major transformation of the York Lions Stadium (formerly the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletics Stadium) into a multi-use facility with artificial turf and a seasonal inflatable dome to support year-round activities and events.
On Feb. 26, the Board of Governors of York University approved the changes, and preliminary scoping and design planning can now begin. A request for proposals will be issued in the coming months.
The new multi-use facility will be available for additional sporting events such as football and soccer competitions year-round. It will allow for better utilization of the stadium and improved athletics and recreation programs for use by York students, staff and faculty.
“This project will expand access, provide more sporting and community event options at our Keele Campus, and enrich the experience of athletes at York, in the GTA and beyond as they strive for excellence,” said Jennifer Myers, executive director of athletics at York University.
The University will also construct a new track and field facility on the northwest corner of campus that will meet the high standards and quality of the current track and will meet Athletics Canada’s daily training needs.
“We’re very happy with York University’s continued commitment to our high-performance program,” said Simon Nathan, Athletics Canada’s high performance director. “The new facility will allow us to train for all events, something we could not do before, and athletes will continue to have full access rights.”
The new facilities will be used to support a diverse mix of varsity and campus recreation programs, intramurals, special University events, community and public events, and more.