Roos Field Renovation

[FrontFive4Life]

Especially considering that the major cost of the field project was the preparation and dirt work, not the field turf itself.

This. Assuming a 10 year lifespan and straight-line depreciation, it wouldn't begin to make sense to move/lower the field for at least another 3 years anyway. Better to focus on building the east side up with an option to bowl it out later, when the turf needs to be replaced anyway.

 

[ewueagle2010]

I heard today that the University is bringing someone in from Seattle to put together a cost free preliminary plan for East Side grandstands. The talks have mentioned that the new grandstands would include two resturants as well as an Athletic training facility. Obviously this is just in preliminary planning but it sounds like this rumor is true and things are starting to roll! Pretty awesome to hear!

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I heard today that the University is bringing someone in from Seattle to put together a cost free preliminary plan for East Side grandstands. The talks have mentioned that the new grandstands would include two resturants as well as an Athletic training facility. Obviously this is just in preliminary planning but it sounds like this rumor is true and things are starting to roll! Pretty awesome to hear!

ray:

 

[HannahO]

I'm watching the MSU @Sam Houston State game on ESPN and their facility is as poor as ours. Track around the field, tiny grand stand and visitor seating. Makes you realize that all comparisons aren't to UM, MSU, and App State. Other successful programs are trying to figure it out too.

 

[kalm]

I'm watching the MSU @Sam Houston State game on ESPN and their facility is as poor as ours. Track around the field, tiny grand stand and visitor seating. Makes you realize that all comparisons aren't to UM, MSU, and App State. Other successful programs are trying to figure it out too.

Very true and the same goes for attendance. National powers like UNH and Villanova play in small stadiums in front of the same size crowds that we have. And UNI had under 7,000 in attendance for a non-thanksgiving day playoff game last week. We are not alone.

 

[eagle11]

I sure hope that our administration can still capitalize off of the national championship before it gets too late. Next month a new champion will be crowned and each year will make it that much harder to capitalize on the amazing accomplishment that happened last January. Come on EWU make it happen!

 

[BLACKFALKIN1]

I sure hope that our administration can still capitalize off of the national championship before it gets too late. Next month a new champion will be crowned and each year will make it that much harder to capitalize on the amazing accomplishment that happened last January. Come on EWU make it happen!

Exactly, the AD is a smart guy and i know, IF THEY REALLY wanted to upgrade that stadium.. they would. When I did my exit interview with Pam Parks and the AD, I made it clear that the facility needed to be upgraded still. This was AFTER the 2004 renovation. They responded to me by saying things like "We just renovated the stadium" , "Our turf (grass) is very nice b4 the rainy season" etc. So it really doesn't seem like they are aware of the BIG issue, which is the east side grand stand. They had the mindset of "We're ok for a fcs school".

The turf was great, it was badly needed, & it was a catalyst the made EWU national champs... But the BIG #1 issue is the east side grand stand, and #2 is a video board. I spoke to the AD again in Flagstaff at the NAU game and i believe the upgrade wont come until someone or something is started outside of the administration. (Alum, Boosters etc)

Something youll notice is EWU upgrades are all DONATED FUNDS.. I think WE AS FANS, & ALUM need to step up, find alum, athletic alum & fans to man up and help the this effort. MSU had their EZ funds drive and it worked. I know the better a facility looks, the more spokane fans will 'claim' EWU.

WHEN YOU HAVE A GREAT, FUN, EXCITING FAN EXPERIENCE, YOUR FANS WILL STICK WHEN THE TEAM HAS AN OFF SEASON. EWU CANT WIN THE NC EVER YEAR.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I'll post more details soon, but it sounds like the wheels are finally turning.

If the final project looks anything like the blueprints, I think we'll all be very happy. Eastern isn't just planning on finishing the East side grandstands, but redoing the whole thing.

PS--- the current plan calls for the track to be removed!!!

 

[eagle11]

Please LDopa share with us these details!

 

[ewunerd]

If they're going so far as to remove the track it sounds like EWU is pretty serious about upgrading the stadum. More like a new stadium really. Probably two of them since they'd have to find a new place for the track.

 

[EWURanger]

I'll post more details soon, but it sounds like the wheels are finally turning.

If the final project looks anything like the blueprints, I think we'll all be very happy. Eastern isn't just planning on finishing the East side grandstands, but redoing the whole thing.

PS--- the current plan calls for the track to be removed!!!

Hell, I'd be happy with new east grandstand and track removal. The west stands and press box are just fine, not sure anything is really needed there. Would be cool to have a more "bowled out" look though. I think that could be done.

 

[clawman1]

How about a multi story building with sports offices on the lower floors, some luxury boxes above the seating, and housing on the upper floors?

 

[eagle11]

No to the housing. I think we need an athletic academic learning center and training facilities before housing.

 

[BLACKFALKIN1]

Wheres the article???? How do we know this is true? Someone fill me in plz

 

[EWURanger]

Wheres the article???? How do we know this is true? Someone fill me in plz

I think they are just fact-finding at this point.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I think it's well past the "fact-finding" stage, and sounds like it is now putting together a pitch to gather donations. Eastern is actively prpeparing marketing to hit the street and giving a proposal to the Board of Regents (or Trustees or whatever the hell they call it) to secure university funding. I guess one large donor from the Willamette Valley and a couple from the Westside are already onboard.

Just to be clear, I have NOT seen blueprints... I think I may have not said that correctly earlier, but they do exist and are being shown to fundraisers. What is included is a new two-tiered Eastside structure that will have a bulding facade on one side and the stadium seating on the other. The stadium will be "compressed" versus the current incarnation and the track will be removed allowing seating right up to the field surface.

University funding is being sought to cover the removal of the track and relocation to a new venue atop the current practice fields. I'm not sure what plans for seating exist up there, maybe they could move the current Eastside temps, who knows. I guess the field can be relaid without much prep? I was unclear on that.

The final project will amount to 14,000- 15,000 seats. That will still include the structure at the end of the North endzone. Mark Hughes is the guy largely spearheading this. The only real hitch that could unhinge the project is him leaving Eastern... and we all know plans have a way of falling apart quickly at EWU. I think a public announcement will be in store for the Spring, as that's when the proposal will be sent to the University for public financial support. I have no idea on an estimated completion date, but my understanding is that this is a "sooner" rather than "later" project and beginning at the end of next season is likely.

 

[ewunerd]

That's pretty sick. If all goes to plan we'll have one of the best stadiums in the Big Sky. Probably second to Montana only because of overall capacity.

Will the new side have suites built in? From your description it sounds like it'll have two tiers of seating? Wonder if they should flip the home/visitor sides.

The field prep is likely part of the track removal process. Judging from the red turf project the prep was the expensive and difficult part. I'm guessing we wouldnt need to lower it like UW is.

 

[eagle11]

IF and WHEN this comes to fruition it will be awesome!

 

[EWURanger]

I think it's well past the "fact-finding" stage, and sounds like it is now putting together a pitch to gather donations. Eastern is actively prpeparing marketing to hit the street and giving a proposal to the Board of Regents (or Trustees or whatever the hell they call it) to secure university funding. I guess one large donor from the Willamette Valley and a couple from the Westside are already onboard.

Just to be clear, I have NOT seen blueprints... I think I may have not said that correctly earlier, but they do exist and are being shown to fundraisers. What is included is a new two-tiered Eastside structure that will have a bulding facade on one side and the stadium seating on the other. The stadium will be "compressed" versus the current incarnation and the track will be removed allowing seating right up to the field surface.

University funding is being sought to cover the removal of the track and relocation to a new venue atop the current practice fields. I'm not sure what plans for seating exist up there, maybe they could move the current Eastside temps, who knows. I guess the field can be relaid without much prep? I was unclear on that.

The final project will amount to 14,000- 15,000 seats. That will still include the structure at the end of the North endzone. Mark Hughes is the guy largely spearheading this. The only real hitch that could unhinge the project is him leaving Eastern... and we all know plans have a way of falling apart quickly at EWU. I think a public announcement will be in store for the Spring, as that's when the proposal will be sent to the University for public financial support. I have no idea on an estimated completion date, but my understanding is that this is a "sooner" rather than "later" project and beginning at the end of next season is likely.

Thanks for the info and this is good to hear. Even if this concept is still in its infancy, it's nice to know that the stadium issue is going to be addressed. It's needed badly. I am hoping most of the effort is going to be on the east side. I like the North end zone seating, and I wouldn't want to see the west side of the stadium change too much, because to be honest the stands are old but holding up just fine, and the press box is still very nice for an FCS facility. On the east side, a brick facade facing the street with concessions and bathrooms on the bottom floor, and perhaps some offices on the second floor would be good. If the final product is going to be around 14-15k, this tells me that the new East side facility needs hold around 6-7k seats when you figure that removing the current seating will subtract around 1,000 seats. These could be moved to the soccer field or maybe wherever the track will be moved eventually.

Excited to see what comes about. I think A lot of alums would be excited about a project like this and would be willing to donate towards it. They should set up something that has different level of donations and do bricks with engravings, etc. I'd definitely donate what I could and everyone that wants to see EWU football get to the next level should do the same.

 

[FrontFive4Life]

I think it's well past the "fact-finding" stage, and sounds like it is now putting together a pitch to gather donations. Eastern is actively prpeparing marketing to hit the street and giving a proposal to the Board of Regents (or Trustees or whatever the hell they call it) to secure university funding. I guess one large donor from the Willamette Valley and a couple from the Westside are already onboard.

Just to be clear, I have NOT seen blueprints... I think I may have not said that correctly earlier, but they do exist and are being shown to fundraisers. What is included is a new two-tiered Eastside structure that will have a bulding facade on one side and the stadium seating on the other. The stadium will be "compressed" versus the current incarnation and the track will be removed allowing seating right up to the field surface.

University funding is being sought to cover the removal of the track and relocation to a new venue atop the current practice fields. I'm not sure what plans for seating exist up there, maybe they could move the current Eastside temps, who knows. I guess the field can be relaid without much prep? I was unclear on that.

The final project will amount to 14,000- 15,000 seats. That will still include the structure at the end of the North endzone. Mark Hughes is the guy largely spearheading this. The only real hitch that could unhinge the project is him leaving Eastern... and we all know plans have a way of falling apart quickly at EWU. I think a public announcement will be in store for the Spring, as that's when the proposal will be sent to the University for public financial support. I have no idea on an estimated completion date, but my understanding is that this is a "sooner" rather than "later" project and beginning at the end of next season is likely.

Thanks for the info and this is good to hear. Even if this concept is still in its infancy, it's nice to know that the stadium issue is going to be addressed. It's needed badly. I am hoping most of the effort is going to be on the east side. I like the North end zone seating, and I wouldn't want to see the west side of the stadium change too much, because to be honest the stands are old but holding up just fine, and the press box is still very nice for an FCS facility. On the east side, a brick facade facing the street with concessions and bathrooms on the bottom floor, and perhaps some offices on the second floor would be good. If the final product is going to be around 14-15k, this tells me that the new East side facility needs hold around 6-7k seats when you figure that removing the current seating will subtract around 1,000 seats. These could be moved to the soccer field or maybe wherever the track will be moved eventually.

Excited to see what comes about. I think A lot of alums would be excited about a project like this and would be willing to donate towards it. They should set up something that has different level of donations and do bricks with engravings, etc. I'd definitely donate what I could and everyone that wants to see EWU football get to the next level should do the same.

THIS x 10000.