Photo submitted by Brian McKeen: Armitage Field in Canby has a new look beginning in the 2024 football season, thanks to renovations that were included as part of Canby Public Schools’ $22 million bond referendum, which was passed on Nov. 8, 2022. The Canby Lancers logo is shown at midfield. The Lancers will play their first varsity football game on the new playing surface on Friday, Sept. 6, against Lakeview. The new grandstand was installed on the opposite side of the field to make room for the new track and field facilities. The northeast-facing bleachers will also help fans in attendance not be required to look directly into the sun, according to Canby football coach Nick Kockelman.

CANBY — Armitage Field has a fresh look to it in 2024, as the turf installation process has already begun. Turf fields are growing in numbers across the state, and Canby is one of the newest school districts to install a turf football field.

The new field was part of the $22 million bond referendum that was passed on Nov. 8, 2022. As part of the referendum, the ground below the playing surface was re-crowned and re-graded earlier this summer before the turf was laid.

Canby football coach Nick Kockelman is excited to see the installation underway and is looking forward to playing home games on the new playing surface.

The first varsity football game on the new field will be Friday, Sept. 6, against Lakeview. The junior high team will actually be the first to play on the new surface, with their game scheduled the day before the varsity game.

“I think we are all excited about playing on turf,” he said. As it has come closer to completion, the kids are getting more excited about it. There were lots of comments on the first day of practice. Our practice field is often hard and uneven so it will be a big benefit to be on it throughout the week for practice.”

Overall, the home schedule for Canby football is a gauntlet in 2024. In addition to the home opener against Lakeview, the Lancers will also host Minneota, Dawson-Boyd and BOLD.

Of the three teams Canby will face at home this fall, Dawson-Boyd (Canby’s Homecoming opponent) had the worst 2023 record at 5-5. The Blackjacks defeated Canby 21-14 last season in Dawson.

One difference you will notice immediately when you attend games is that the main grandstand was moved to the opposite side of the field. This was necessary due to space.

“They couldn’t put bleachers in both sides of the field,” Kockelman said. “They needed space for the field events for track. But moving the bleachers to the other side prevents fans from looking directly into the setting sun.”

In addition to football games, the turf field and track will be able to be used for physical education classes. It’s possible that the Minneota/Canby softball team could also use the football field in the spring to host softball games when weather otherwise might force game postponement due to poor field conditions.

In recent years, area schools Russell-Tyler-Ruthton and Lakeview also installed turf fields. Those schools gave Canby school officials a point of reference they could contact as they researched how the space could be utilized.

“Getting that perspective maybe helped gain some momentum or at least a solid understanding of how it can be used and maintained,” Kockelman said.

The finishing touches will be put on the turf shortly, according to Canby Public Schools superintendent Ryan Nielsen. There is a silica sand that is used for infilling the turf, which will be followed by bags of rubber pellets for additional infill.

Surrounding the football field is a new addition to Armitage Field, as an eight-lane track is being installed. Pits for the field events are also located on the grandstand side of the football field.

The finishing touches are being put on the new track, as well.

“The asphalt had to cure for a month before they could put the track surface on top,” Nielsen said.

The new track and field facilities will allow the Canby/Minneota track and field team to host events in Canby during its spring season, not only during the regular season but potentially conference and section meets as well. The Lancers are traditionally one of the top teams in Section 3A.

“I know the track program is really excited about having a complete complex and continuing the success that they have had in recent years as well,” Kockelman said.