Photo Courtesy / Jessica Lee

Spaces to play and train at UTSC have been sparse for years, but change is coming.  The athletics department has announced the opening of a new “multipurpose” field this upcoming spring.

“It’s going to be a softball field and a cricket pitch,” said Randy Thomas, interim athletics director.  “We are excited about the field, but we are more excited about the programming possibilities of this space.”

Thomas said that aside from softball and cricket, the field will be used as a training space for UTSC’s intramural teams, as well as a fun space for the children’s camps run by the school over the summer.

“Last year we held the national women’s rugby championships on campus,” Thomas said.  “It gets complicated with 10 provinces in those fields.”

Thomas said the new field will provide opportunities for training scenarios in tournament situations.  The field will also enable UTSC athletes to compete in appropriate playing fields.

“Cricket in the gym is fun, and it’s been successful,” Thomas said.  “But it’s just not the same.”

The field, which has been in the works for several years, is now only being held up by winter weather.

“We’ll be on it by next spring,” Thomas said.  “If it weren’t for winter, we’d be on it in a couple weeks.”

While the budget hasn’t been officially released, the athletics department estimates that the final cost of construction will be $380,000.