The University of Guelph has received a $1.5 million donation to help jump start the school’s renovation of its Alumni Stadium. The improved athletic facility could open as early as Sept. 2012. The money will pay for a new synthetic turf field that will benefit not only athletics, but will also host concerts and Orientation Week events. The donation, the largest-ever one-time gift to Guelph Athletics, came from a local family who wants to remain anonymous. “While the donors do not play to the spotlight, they have been key supporters of our BetterPlanet Project and already made major gifts to support academic and athletic programs at the University,” said President Alastair Summerlee in a release. Student are contributing to the improvements in athletic facilities too with a new fee that was approved by a referendum in 2010 and that will generate $75 million over 30 years.