Knivsta municipality announced on February 26 that construction of a new artificial turf field would start three days later, according to multiple reports. The project includes a granulate-free artificial turf field, new lighting, and improved drainage. Parts of the 50-year-old spruce hedge framing the sports ground will be removed, but neighbors were only informed about the hedge removal when the municipality announced the construction start.
The specific environmental or safety concerns driving the hedge removal, beyond the construction needs, have not been detailed by officials. In Uppsala, the Valsätra IP field was closed in the autumn, and there were concerns in January that it might remain closed until summer, multiple reports indicate. A geotechnical investigation for Valsätra IP has been completed with bad news, though the exact findings and their implications for the field's reopening are unknown.
The current status and timeline for resolving the issues at Valsätra IP, given the recent geotechnical results, remain unclear. Meanwhile, Luleå municipality has granted 400,000 kronor for a new artificial turf field in Gammelstad, according to Norrländska Socialdemokraten. 6 million kronor.
The association has already been granted funds through various sources including district funds, RF Sisu, Sparbanken Nord, and the Swedish Football Association. The funding efforts highlight the association's proactive approach to securing resources for the field replacement. In Mjölby, work has begun on an artificial turf field for Södra Turabdin IF, according to Östgöta Correspondenten.
The first stage, a full-size artificial turf field, is scheduled to be ready by 2028. The municipality has started a detailed planning process to be expedited so construction can begin in 2027, with funding available in the 2027 investment budget for the artificial turf field. This expedited planning aims to meet the 2027 construction start target.