EWU To Move Ahead With Second Phase of Roos Field Renovations

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EWU To Move Ahead With Second Phase of Roos Field Renovations - Stories - EWU - The Region's Polytechnic

The transformational upgrades to Eastern Washington University's stadium include building an elevated press box above the eastern grandstands.

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EWU To Move Ahead With Second Phase of Roos Field Renovations​

$8 million project is part of larger plan to invest in campus

September 3, 2026

Eastern Washington University is moving ahead with the second phase of a series of transformational upgrades to Roos Field, with plans to build an elevated press box above the eastern grandstands.

The project is one of many strategic investments EWU is making to its facilities in order to improve the student experience and create the campus of the future for higher education in the Inland Northwest. In all, EWU expects to spend nearly $250 million on projects over a 10-year period.

Driven by donors and supported by the university, the next phase of development at Roos Field is expected to get underway next year and to be completed in time for the 2028 football season. EWU will host a ceremonial groundbreaking for the $8 million project during its homecoming weekend, on Oct. 10, to celebrate the launch of the project and to recognize those who are making it possible.

“The new press box is a critical project that will improve space for those covering events at Roos Field, but it’s so much more than that,” says EWU Athletic Director Tim Collins. “Once completed, the project will free up space on the west side of the stadium to enhance the amenities that our fans and alumni want. A more diverse selection of premium spaces will improve the fan experience and create more revenue opportunities for Eastern Athletics.”

Private donations lead all phases of the $25 million stadium renovation.

“We’re thankful for the philanthropists who are informing the need and desire to improve Roos Field and make it more attractive to fans and prospective student-athletes alike,” says Laura Thayer, EWU’s associate vice president of philanthropy and campaign engagement. “While we’ve come so far in pursuit of our $100 million Build Our Future campaign, there are many more opportunities for our supporters to give toward future stadium improvements and the other causes that are most important to them.”

The press box project follows a $2.5 million track renovation that was completed in late August as the first phase of enhancements at Roos Field. That project gives EWU’s student-athletes a better, safer place to train and compete, while enabling the university to host more track meets at the high school and collegiate levels.

Christine Johnson, chair of the EWU Board of Trustees, says, “The Board of Trustees fully supports thoughtful investments that strengthen Eastern for the long term. The work at Roos Field is part of a much larger strategy to ensure EWU has the facilities, programs, and experiences needed to serve our students, our region, and future generations of Eagles.”

The multiphase stadium upgrades are among nearly $250 million in capital improvements planned, envisioned, or underway at EWU. Other projects include:

• A $110 million Science Building expansion and renovation that will be completed this fall.
• A $51 million residence hall that will be built on the Dryden Hall site. Demolition of the old structure will start this fall, with construction slated to begin next year.
• An envisioned, $25 million Lucy Covington Leadership Long House for which EWU will seek state funding in upcoming Legislative sessions.
• A $12 million renovation of spaces in the Catalyst and SIERR buildings in the Spokane University District to create a health sciences hub. The dental hygiene program will move into its new space at the beginning of the year, with other improvements continuing into 2027.
• A total of $17 million in energy upgrades, including plans to install a 1.4-megawatt solar array on the southwestern portion of campus, near the athletic practice fields, and other measures intended to shrink EWU’s environmental footprint and increase its energy independence.
• Significant projects that involve interior improvements, including improvements at Isle Hall to accommodate programs moving to the Cheney campus from Spokane.

EWU President Shari McMahan says, “Eastern is positioning itself for the future by making strategic campus investments to attract and retain students while giving faculty the environment they need to expand hands-on learning opportunities. We’re excited about what these investments mean for us as the region’s polytechnic and Spokane County’s Team.”

More information about the stadium renovation and fundraising effort is available here.

 

[E-Wu Tang Clan]

I can't find anything that says they're replacing the high school stands. Idk about yall but that would be ugly af.