The EWU Foundation, a fundraising alumni organization, presented The Gateway Project to the EWU Board of Directors March 23 at the Board Committee of the Whole.The aim of the project is to create community within the EWU campus by constructing a “city within a city” and increase visibility, retention and scholarships. Conceptually, after the initial building is paid off, the university would be possession of a sustainable revenue generator. According to Mike Westfall, vice president of EWU University Advancement, Project Gateway is still in the visioning process: The presentation was to inform the board of trustees and the next step is a feasibility study. The Gateway project would redefine the heart of the campus at the Roos Gateway and would initially unite athletics and academics by creating a multipurpose building along the Washington Street side of Roos Field. Washington Street would be rerouted around the backside of the stadium during game days only, and a new eagle plaza would be created just before the Roos Arch. The new flow of traffic would increase pedestrian safety. The first phase building would introduce 5,000 more seats in lower seating rather than bleachers to the Washington side of Roos Field and 3,000 more seats to upper, covered seating. The inside of the building would house concessions with a view of the game, leasable commercial space, suites and a donor club with tiered seating and a patio, many bathrooms on one concourse alone, the Academic Success Center, a training room, football operations, the University Bookstore, locker rooms for home and visitors and a dedicated space for the band near the field. One of the presenters said that a dedicated spot for track would be located elsewhere on campus. Further phases included additional seating in the north end zone, which would connect the proposed building with the existing stands to the east (far side from Washington Street) and a dedicated student area on the south. The whole stadium could eventually seat 20,000.
