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Rice-Eccles' turf failed prematurely, new field a possible safety concern

SALT LAKE CITY — The turf field at Rice-Eccles Stadium has become prematurely worn years before University of Utah officials expected, forcing a quick replacement during the football season.

The most recent FieldTurf product was installed in 2009, and Utes officials told the Deseret News that it was expected to last 15 years when it was installed. The FieldTurf warranty for the field itself lasts for eight years from the installation date, and promises "FieldTurf will ... either repair or replace the affected area without charge" should decay happen before June 2017.

But the University is replacing the field this week, just over six years since the date of installation.