Queen's University is undergoing a transformative revitalization of Nixon Field, highlighted by the installation of a leading sustainable playing surface.
Queen's will become the first institution in North America to capitalize on environmental technologies to promote carbon sequestration via turf replacement with project partners Canadian Wollastonite and FieldTurf.
Nixon Field is a premier facility in the heart of campus, providing wellbeing and competitive sport opportunities for over 14,000 recreational participants, varsity athletes, and Kingston community sports groups annually. Constructed in 2012, Nixon Field has been a vibrant gathering place, thanks to the generosity of the original donors and the support of loyal fans, and the turf has now exceeded its lifespan.
The existing turf is being removed this week before the ground freezes; the project will be completed in the spring. Tindall Field, Miklas-McCarney and Richard Stadium fields will continue to support outdoor field activities until all outdoor field locations are formally closed for the winter.
The project will use enhanced rock weathering using wollastonite infill from the local area, which supports the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. Wollastonite is part of a nature-based process called Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) that accelerates the natural weathering of rocks to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help address climate change.
It's estimated Nixon Field will sequester the carbon equivalent of 165 tree seedlings grown over 10 years, or 11.7 acres of forest annually. Over the expected lifespan of the field, it will be the equivalent to having a 117-acre forest in the heart of Queen's campus.
"With thousands of students using Nixon Field to play, compete, and engage in co-curricular activities, creating a space that contributes to environmental sustainability is in line with the strategic objectives of the university and the City of Kingston," says Queen's Athletics & Recreation Executive Director Linda Melnick.
"By partnering with Kingston-based Canadian Wollastonite and FieldTurf, an industry leader, to be the first post-secondary institution in North America with this turf, we are furthering the university and broader community's commitment to sustainability. Replacing the Nixon Field playing surface aligns with A&R's commitment to continuous improvement and work towards the department's vision, 'where active pursuits become golden moments.'"
The project is an extension of a research and teaching partnership between Queen's and Canadian Wollastonite; Queen's students will be part of the field replacement project committee, providing additional experiential learning opportunities.
The project aligns with several strategic institutional goals, including Research Impact, Research & Teaching Integration, Student Learning, and Global Engagement, while also contributing to the City of Kingston's sustainability goals.
Nixon Field provides over 1,500 hours of student physical activity every year and is home to a highly successful Women's Rugby team, that has gone undefeated in five consecutive regular seasons and won a U SPORTS National Championship on the field in 2021. Nixon Field is also home to the Men's Rugby team who earned a silver medal at the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship this past weekend.
Nixon Field project timeline
November 2024: Turf field removal; closure of the field for the season.
March 2025: Surface preparation, re-grading of base materials and repair/replacement of drainage tiles.
April 2025: Installation of new playing surface.
About Canadian Wollastonite
Canadian Wollastonite is a local Kingston area mining company that is a leader in research in the effects of Wollastonite and developing environmentally conscious solutions for a modern world.
About FieldTurf
FieldTurf is a world leader in artificial turf with advanced technologies that service over 25,000 installations worldwide including many Canadian University Institutions (e.g. Queen's).
