StFX Stadium

Sports stadium on the campus of St. Francis Xavier University

45°37′00″N 61°59′42″W / 45.6166097°N 61.9949226°W / 45.6166097; -61.9949226OwnerSt. Francis Xavier UniversityOperatorSt. Francis Xavier UniversityCapacity4,000SurfaceFieldTurf (2009–present)ConstructionOpened1967Renovated2018TenantsSt. Francis Xavier X-Men and X-Women (U Sports)

StFX Stadium,^[1] formerly known as Oland Stadium, is a stadium in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, on the campus of St. Francis Xavier University. It primarily serves as the home field of the St. Francis Xavier X-Men and X-Women varsity teams, including football, rugby, soccer, cross country, and track & field. It is also host to club teams, intramural participants, recreational users, and community groups.

The stadium features artificial field turf along with an eight-lane 400m rubberized track. The total seating capacity is over 4,000, including individual seating for 1,100, and features stadium lighting and perimeter fencing.^[1]^[2]

History

In 1965, Sidney Culverwell Oland and his company, Oland and Son Limited, made a contribution to Oland's alma mater, St. Francis Xavier University.^[3] The contribution led to the university being able to construct a multi-purpose complex that was named the Oland Centre.^[3]

Renovations

In March 2017, the Government of Nova Scotia announced that they would contribute $1,000,000 to the renovations of Oland Stadium.^[4] On July 31, 2017, the Government of Canada announced that $500,000 of federal funds were being invested into the stadium in order to improve economic growth.^[5]^[4] The wooden bleachers were replaced with a combination of aluminum bench seating and plastic bucket seats.^[2]^[6] In 2019, the varsity locker rooms were upgraded and replaced.^[6]

Events

The 2018 Special Olympics Canada National Summer Games were held July 31, 2018, to August 4, 2018, where the athletics competitions were held at StFX Stadium.^[7]

References

^ ^a ^b "STFX Stadium". St. Francis Xavier X-Men and X-Women. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Centaur Products". Centaur. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Fonds MS-4-135 - Oland and Son fonds". Dalhousie University. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Oland Stadium Upgrades – On the Edge of Your Seat Excitement". Government of Canada. July 31, 2017.
^ "STFX Stadium - Venue". St. Francis Xavier University. 3 May 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Board notes" (PDF). St. Francis Xavier University. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
^ "Antigonish 2018 Ready to Welcome the Country to Nova Scotia". Special Olympics Canada. Retrieved February 12, 2024.