Tuesday, April 4, 2017
by Simon Fraser University Communications

BURNABY, B.C. - Simon Fraser University has announced the first phase of the student-led stadium project, which will see covered stadium seating built into the hillside at Terry Fox field on the Burnaby campus by April 2020 through a $10-million contribution from SFU students.  

The stadium will become the permanent home to Canada’s NCAA teams. It will feature seating for approximately 1,800, a full roof, washroom facilities and a media center. In future phases, the stadium project could expand to include other amenities, such as a field house with team locker rooms.

As a part of the agreement, the university will provide any additional funding necessary to complete the first phase of the project. SFU will manage the project and Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) will contribute annually to the University from 2019-2030 through a special student levy.

SFU will contribute an additional $50,000 (Canadian) annually to the SFSS from 2016-2030 to assist undergraduate students (SFSS members) experiencing financial challenges as a result of the levy.

“The stadium project will enhance the student experience on campus,” said Tim Rahilly, SFU’s vice-provost and associate vice-president, students and international. “The venue will provide a space to host campus community events, including student orientation, concerts, tournaments and recreational activities, in addition to being the permanent home of our NCAA teams.”

As the only Canadian university offering a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) experience, the stadium will play an instrumental role in supporting SFU Clan student athletes and raising the profile of the University.

This student-led stadium project is a part of an SFSS initiative dedicated to building a new Student Union Building and stadium on SFU’s Burnaby campus. The planning process included multiple consultations with students, with students voting in favor of the student levy needed to bring both projects to fruition.

“The SFSS believes that the stadium project will provide great opportunities for students to enjoy an enhanced sense of community at SFU,” said Larissa Chen, SFSS president. “In addition to the new Student Union Building, the stadium will transform the campus experience for years to come.”

“For the first time in our history, our student athletes will have a permanent outdoor home on campus where students can come together to build and celebrate school spirit,” said Theresa Hanson, senior director athletics and recreation. “The stadium project will enable us to bring entertainment and life to the campus, and engage with alumni and surrounding community.”

Fourth-year student Jordan Herdman, a linebacker for the SFU Clan football team, says that the stadium project will provide a home for student athletes to showcase their hard work and talent to the campus community.

“Having a home stadium on campus will attract more students to our games and give us a true home field advantage,” said Herdman, “Playing in front of home fans means the world to an athlete because they know that everybody in the crowd is cheering for them.”

FAST FACTS:
• The stadium project is a student-led initiative to enhance the student experience on campus, and provide a permanent home for Canada’s NCAA teams

• The stadium project will feature seating for approximately 1,800, a full roof, washroom facilities and media centre.

• A $10-million contribution from SFU students will help fund the project, while the University will fund any additional costs.

• SFU will manage the project and SFSS will contribute annually to the University through a special student levy.

• SFU will contribute an additional $50,000 annually to the SFSS from 2016-2030 to assist undergraduate students (SFSS members) experiencing financial challenges due to the levy.

• In future phases the stadium project may expand to include other amenities.