By Maria Salvo, contributing writer
Daemen unveiled a new synthetic turf field at Royal Park, nearly two miles from campus, now serving as home to the soccer and lacrosse teams on campus. After a few years of development, it is now open to both the town of Amherst and Daemen University for use.
The nearly $10 million project features synthetic turf, locker rooms, athletic training rooms, concessions and bathrooms to be used by both teams and fans. The new facility, particularly the locker rooms, has sparked a game day intensity that has never been seen before within these athletic teams.
“The atmosphere is a lot better, you don’t have to worry about traveling or getting ready somewhere else that is not your own locker room,” said fourth year soccer player, Axel Lozoya. ‘It means a lot for the team to have a spot where they can relax and hype each other up before playing a game.”
The athletic training rooms have also improved the overall athletic experience for both players and staff alike.
“It is pretty nice because if something happens in the middle of practice, we don’t have to wait until we get back to campus,” said third year women’s soccer and lacrosse trainer, Alicia Loh. “We can handle and start addressing the issue while at the field.”
She added that having medical equipment nearby allows for a more efficient plan that helps players receive care quickly, which is incredibly important due to the severity of most athletic injuries.
The new turf also provides safer conditions compared to grass, as it helps reduce accidental injuries from holes and ditches on the surface. Both the men’s and women’s athletic teams previously played on the grass field at The Park School, which is located at 4625 Harlem Rd, Amherst, NY.
According to Loh, the new turf provides consistency and is crucial to overall player health, reducing the incidental injuries that athletes often experienced on the old grass surface.
“Being a small Division II school, we might not have the most facilities, but this really shows our success, and this helps add to further success on the field,” said Kylie Miranto, senior year captain on the soccer team.
“Other competitors typically have turf fields, and this shows how well our teams have done and helps keep an edge with these schools on a recruiting standpoint,” said Miranto.
Miranto says the field is an incredible way to complete her senior year, while Lozoya calls the investment a sign of the university’s support for student-athletes.