New indoor sports field is coming to Aroostook County, and the turf can travel

Courtesy / University of Maine System The University of Maine at Presque Isle is part of the University of Maine System.

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By Alexis Wells

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will soon be home to Aroostook County’s first artificial turf field that's also portable.

The 120-foot-long, 103-foot-wide turf field — consisting of 17-square-foot panels that lock together and then can be disassembled — will go into UMPI's Gentile Hall gymnasium this week, according to a news release.

The university says the field will expand recreation opportunities for campus and community members, and support youth, middle school and high school sports in Aroostook County.

“This major upgrade to our athletics and recreational facilities will allow our campus to meet several important needs, including expanding team practice and intramural capabilities, better supporting educational experiences, and increasing recreational opportunities for the community,” said Ray Rice, UMPI president.

UMPI crews will install a product called EasyField, which consists of turf panels that connect with an interlocking knob system, allowing for easy installation, removal and storage. Each turf panel is about 5 feet long and 3.5 feet wide and weighs about 20 pounds.

During the installation, the gym's multipurpose courts will not be available. All other facilities in the building, including the pool, fitness center and rock wall, will be available during regular operating hours.

“Our new indoor turf field will be set up for the entire spring semester, providing a more natural practice surface for our spring sports teams that are hardly ever able to practice outside during the spring semester due to winter weather conditions,” said Dan Kane, executive director of athletics and recreation.

“It will also allow us to host intramural sports that would normally take place on grass or turf, such as indoor soccer and flag football,” he continued. “And it will provide our academic programs, especially physical education and exercise science, with a brand-new option for in-class activities. It’s going to be an incredible game-changer for our students.”

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is part of the University of Maine System and one of two University of Maine System schools in Aroostook County. UMPI was ranked No. 14 among Maine's largest colleges and universities in the 2023 Mainebiz Book of Lists, based on a full-time undergraduate enrollment of 731 in fall 2022.