FieldTurf--a new artificial surface that has received praise from the football community, and has gained considerable acceptance in the soccer community--was approved Sept. 27 as the field surface for Washington state's new football/soccer stadium.

The Board of Directors of the Washington State Public Stadium Authority (PSA)--owner of the facility--approved the surface only after commitments that temporary natural grass will be installed for major soccer events--and paid for by First & Goal Inc. - the project developer and facility operator.

Lorriane Hine, PSA Board chair stated, "Football will be played on FieldTurf and major soccer events will be played on natural grass. If Major League soccer requires grass, the filed will be permanently changed out at the time that Seattle receives an MLS team. FieldTurf will provide much greater flexibility in scheduling back-to-back events in the stadium."

In July, the PSA was asked by First & Goal Inc., to consider installing FieldTurf instead of natural grass. Hine said the PSA did an extraordinary amount of research since that proposal was made. In additional to reviewing the facts presented by First & Goal, the PSA consulted with turf experts and facility mangers throughout the U.S. and around the world, and considered hundreds of comments from citizens.

"Our research showed that FieldTurf's acceptance with football and soccer is growing rapidly," said Board Vice Chair Fred Mendoza, "FieldTurf was not an option when the stadium was presented to voters in 1997. With the assurances in place for installation of natural grass for major soccer events, the public will be able to see world-class soccer events in this facility."

Board members approved FieldTurf with specific conditions that make the stadium suitable for top-level soccer. The conditions require First & Goal, at its sole expense, to place a natural grass turf over the field for some major soccer events, including certain international exhibition games, world Cup and Olympic qualifying matches, World Cup finals, and Olympic Games. If a natural grass field is needed to attract a Major League Soccer franchise to Seattle, First & Goal must permanently replace the FieldTurf with natural grass.

Board Chair Lorriane Hine emphasized the advantages of FieldTurf, "By making the facility more accessible to a range of events, citizens will be able to utilize this public asset more often." First & Goal stated that it does not intend to charge a venue rental fee to qualifying youth and recreational athletic groups, but only charge for direct operational costs--also making the facility more accessible to Washington's citizens.

First & Goal is Seattle Seahawks' owner Paul Allen's company that is the private sector partner with the PSA in building the new stadium and exhibition center. The new stadium is more than 75% complete and is slated to open in August 2002.