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DAVIS, Calif. - Installation of a new artificial turf playing surface at Aggie Stadium is nearing completion, providing the home to UC Davis football and women's lacrosse its largest renovation since opening in 2007.

The project, which was scheduled over several weeks in May and June, is being funded through stadium maintenance funds provided by the Facilities And Campus Enhancement Initiative passed by UC Davis undergraduate students in 1999. F.A.C.E. helped fund several campus projects, including the Activities and Recreation Center, Aggie Stadium and the Schaal Aquatics Center.

The Shaw Sports Turf, which is being installed by ProSpectra Contract Flooring, differs from the previous turf in two major ways. First, the grass blades are smaller (2 inches vs. 2.75 inches). Second, the turf inlay is comprised of equal parts sand and rubber compared to the all-rubber inlay of the previous turf. The differences will allow for faster play.

Fans will immediately notice a change in appearance starting with the endzones, which will prominently feature Vegas gold lettering against navy blue turf. The turf will be blue while the wording will be gold. "UCDavis" -- one of the campus's primary logos -- will adorn the south endzone while "Aggies" will be in the north endzone.

Light and dark green turf will alternate every five yards on the football playing field except for a 10-yard stretch of dark green at midfield that will serve as the background for the traditional Mustang C logo.

All of the field markings, including the boundaries and official markings for lacrosse, are being sewn into the turf, a process that is currently underway. The entire playing surface measures more than 105,000 square feet.

Aggie Stadium, which opened in 2007, just completed its ninth season hosting UC Davis women's lacrosse and will be entering its ninth as the home to Aggie football.