Synthetic field turf is coming to Kenan Stadium this summer.

The UNC Board of Governors approved the University of North Carolina’s athletics facilities turf upgrade request on Friday, director of athletics Bubba Cunningham confirmed on Sunday.

The total project cost of $2.5 million will be funded by the Educational Foundation, also known as the Rams Club. The synthetic turf installation at Kenan Stadium will begin following spring commencement on May 12.

UNC head football coach Mack Brown, who had artificial turf installed at Texas Memorial Stadium in 2009, has been a vocal proponent of the move since returning to Chapel Hill in November.

"I can remember when we were here before that we had some grass issues and we had them at Texas and we changed to turf because we were going to have a fast team,” Brown said on National Signing Day. “Also, you never lose a game because of weather and I think that's really important.”

The BOG also approved a $3 million request for Kenan Football Center renovations, which will include weight room and locker room upgrades.

"What we’re wanting to do is redo all the lockers, change up a lot of things, and replenish the weight room basically,” Brown said earlier this month, “and let [strength & conditioning coach Brian Hess] take out what he’s not going to use and put in the things he’s going to use and give us a lot more space because space has been an issue. Those are the things we’re looking at right now more than anything else in the renovation."

UNC is in the final stages of completing a $115 million athletics facilities project that includes the indoor football practice complex, a soccer/lacrosse stadium, a field hockey stadium and a track & field complex near Finley Golf Course. The football team is currently utilizing the indoor facility for spring practice and the adjoining outdoor fields are expected to be completed in the coming weeks.