Lions' Stadium has been closed and will not reopen until early May because the state Department of Health and Senior Services found high levels of lead in the artificial turf, according to executive director of Public Affairs Matthew Golden.
Golden said in an e-mail the state Department of Health and Senior Services tested Lions' Stadium, along with 12 other artificial turf athletic fields, for lead. According to the e-mail, the results of the tests will not be available until early May, "so the field will be unavailable until at least that time."
Golden said the College is currently looking at rescheduling or relocating events set to take place soon in the stadium, including athletic events and Commencement 2008.
Golden said the decision to close the stadium at this time is "a more cautious approach."
"The Department of Health and Senior Services has said it believes the likelihood of health risk associated with exposure to the Lions' Stadium turf is minimal," Golden said in the e-mail.
Golden said the testing was prompted by a request from the Department of Health to several institutions asking them to voluntarily have artificial turf examined for lead. While the College voluntarily agreed to the testing, Golden said other institutions declined.
More information will be available in the April 16 edition of The Signal and online as it becomes available.
