The Sports Turf Association was conceived in 1987, when, at a "brain storming" session held at the University of Guelph, a broad segment of the turf industry endorsed its need. Of particular concern at that meeting was the need to minimize and avoid injury to participants using athletic facilities where they relate to turf. Two decades later we continue to promote better, safer sports turf through innovation, education and professional programs
With considerable assistance from the Ontario Ministries of Tourism & Recreation and Agriculture & Food a constitution and administrative structure were established and the Association held its first Board of Directors meeting on May 27 of the same year.
September brought the publication of the first issue of the Sports Turf Newsletter, later renamed the Sports Turf Manager.
A marketing strategy was developed in 1988 to expand the membership and solidify the plans for the Association's future. The first Executive Secretary was engaged in 1990 to put our administrative house in order.
1991 saw the production of a series of three video tapes on turf management in cooperation with the University of Guelph, as well as the publication of An Athletic Field Managers' Guide for Construction and Maintenance. These resources were superceded in 2001 with the publication of Understanding Turf Management.
The Association reached a milestone in 1995 when it moved to an office at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute.
Our current logo was adopted in 1997 and was designed by graphic design students at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario.
An annual educational conference and field day have been held successfully since 1988.
As we move through the first decade of the new millennium, membership in the Sports Turf Association exceeds 275, with representation from provinces across Canada as well as internationally.