In a move expected to bring Harvard athletic facilities up to par with those of competing colleges, Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles announced the construction of a new artificial turf playing field at the Faculty meeting on Tuesday.

Knowles presented plans for the construction of the field in his annual letter to the Faculty.

He said the synthetic surface--and additional plans to install lighting--will permit athletic teams to utilize the field at times that previously would have been impossible.

"[T]he new artificial turf field will be equipped with lighting for night-time use, and will allow much greater flexibility in the scheduling of events, particularly at times of the year (as is often the case on that site) when our grass fields are unplayable," Knowles wrote.

The new field will be located behind the ice hockey rink in an area currently utilized for recreation, according to men's soccer coach Stephen R. Locker. Locker said the project will be funded by a gift from a donor.

Because artificial turf is the norm for most field hockey and lacrosse teams, Harvard's upgrade from grass fields will make those teams especially more competitive.

"[Artificial] turf is definitely where field hockey is at right now," said Gretchen M. Scheuermann, assistant field hockey coach.

She said the artificial turf will likely improve the team's play.

"It will definitely make us more competitive. The game is much faster, more fluid and you have better control," she said. "Even from a spectator's point of view, it's much more enjoyable and easier to follow."

Locker said the new facility will help alleviate scheduling difficulties by providing additional space, and is particularly useful because teams will be able to practice on it in the winter months. It is easier to clear snow from artificial turf than from grass.

"It's going to open things up tremendously," Locker said. "It opens up training and practice opportunities for many, many teams."

Citing a lack of space, Locker said members of the soccer team have been practicing recently in a parking lot.

According to Scott Anderson, coach of the men's lacrosse team, the new surface will have a positive effect on Harvard lacrosse. He cited the disadvantages of practicing indoors during the winter andsaid the artificial turf will permit the team topractice outside.

"It's going to be a great thing for myprogram," Anderson said. "It allows you to getoutside...and my hope is to get out for half ofthe month of February [after the field is built]."

Since Harvard athletes often practice at areaschools with artificial turf, like BostonUniversity and Boston College, Anderson saidhaving such a field here will cut down on traveltime.

"It eliminates the amount of time that theathletes spend being transported from the otherpeoples' facilities," he said.