On track at X

ANTIGONISH - St. Francis Xavier University will be on the receiving end of a $1 million federal government investment, which will go to towards an overhaul of its track and field facility.
Specifically, an announcement on the Antigonish campus yesterday afternoon concerned the installation of a new all-season artificial surface, which should get underway this spring.
Central Nova Peter MacKay, said this investment from the federal government "fits the bill" with respect to government's intention of promoting quick-impact, economic stimulus projects.
"We've been in need in this region in Nova Scotia for investments in new sports infrastructure. We have the indoor soccer facility in Stellarton, there's a track and field facility that will be underway as well in Pictou County, and hopefully more on the way.
These types of projects are not only good for student athletes, they're good for everyone," MacKay said.
ACOA is not the only entity funding the track facility overhaul, which, over time will include stadium lighting and new grandstands. The Town of Antigonish, as well as the county municipality is in support of the project, and provincial support of $700,000 was announced in May 2008 by local MLA Angus MacIsaac.
St. FX President, Sean Riley, said the upgrades will afford the university's already busy intercollegiate and intramural programs an extended season. He said roughly one in 10 students at the school already participate in competitive intercollegiate sports, however nearly 75 per cent of the entire student body is involved in some form of athletic program associated with St. FX.
"We have 80 per cent of our first year students living on campus, about 50 per cent of all-year students are living on campus, and the rest are within walking distance. Good athletic and recreation facilities are part of life here. It's part of attracting students, and part of being strong for the long haul," he said.
Kwasi Nkansah was one of the students looking over an artist's depiction of the new track facility following the announcement.
Nkansah is a defensive back for the school's football team and a track athlete. He's part of the graduating class this year, but said he's considering coming back to the university for a fifth year.
Nkansah's had a chance to play on natural as well as artificial surfaces, such as those at St. Mary's University and Acadia. The planned development will level the playing field, so to speak, for school athletes involved in competitive sports, he said.
"We have some dips in the field and there's places where the grass is not really that nice in comparison to other places. So definitely, it's a change-up when you go to other places to play. The speed and the game changes, as well as your footing and other aspects. So this will help us level the competition."