Moncton Stadium receiving upgrades for 2015 World Cup

Work has begun to replace the grass field at Moncton Stadium with artificial turf as part of upgrades needed before the FIFA Womens World Cup Canada in June 2015.

Construction crews are removing the natural grass surface.

The Committee says the tendering process is not yet complete so final costs aren't known, but the organizing committee for the tournament is helping foot the bill.

It's expected that more than a million dollars will be spent on the stadium and turf upgrades.

Soccer NB executive director Marc Leger says the new field may give a boost to local soccer.

I would say in the past, the soccer community has not had access to the stadium, he said. With ongoing communications with the city and Soccer Canada there's high hopes for the soccer community locally and provincially that we can have access to this for special events."