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Switching soccer fields in Montreal suburb to artificial turf has community divided

Renovations to Mackenzie King Park in the Côte-des-Neiges suburb of Montreal are underway, but a bone of contention exists with plans to replace the natural turf on its soccer fields with artificial turf.

Opponents argue that the temperature on the artificial fields could be so hot that they’d be unusable. It was argued that a 30-degree Celsius day could make the surface temperature on artificial turf upwards of 46 degrees.

Those speaking out against the changeover to artificial turf also suggest chemicals in the synthetic surface create a health issue and that water from rainfall won’t be absorbed into the ground and will cause flooding.

The borough’s mayor says construction strategies are designed to contain water to the park, adding there aren’t enough durable natural fields in the municipality which artificial turf will resolve.

Montreal Public Health states the health risks associated with artificial turf aren’t significant, yet noted there are enough uncertainties that must be explored.