Roos Field Renovation

[Obzerver]

We need quality seating on the visitor side and seating for 15,000 that looks sharp to reflect our university and the Football program. Along with that adequate concessions and bathrooms.

I like Track and we have a very nice venue...let's not mess that up. Cost of taking out the old track and building a new facility for our Track program ain't going to happen...cost prohibitive.

 

[BLACKFALKIN1]

Long term, the idea of removing the track, before building permanent seating, is the best. We can move the current seating easily. Once the track is done, then you would be building permanent seating in the correct location and not have to do something crazy like sink the field to get the stands closer. Ask Boise State. They removed their track, but were unable to really get the seating closer because the permanent seating was already in place and the water table prohibited sinking the field.

Exactly!! WE HAVE TO BE SMART & STRATEGIC. Removing the track DOES NOT automatically mean you HAVE to lower the field. The east side seating and the north end zone have temp stands. Whats cheaper than lowering the field/drainage issues etc? Moving the (same) red turf ~10 ft (or whatever) west towards the home sideline! The north end zone seating can be moved as well. (inexpensive) Now, lastly, you build the east side Grandstand where is should be built. They could also add some "curvature" by adding some northwest & northeast corner seating similar to Wa-Griz stadium. Whats the cost on something like that including replacing the track in a new location? $16 Million as apposed to $60. We can get it funded, built, and ready for the 2018 season.

Rebuild the track in the back and take the current east side temp bleachers with it. EASY! The new eastside grandstand does not have to be HUGE either, making it roughly the same side as west side would be fine, maybe a little bigger. Look at MSU's new end zone seating or maybe they're home grandstand. Thats cool and that would put us beteen 15,000-17,500 seating. Perfect! It also doesn't have to be extraordinarily useful either... relocate the current home locker room, restrooms, ref dressing room and conveniently placed tunnel to run out off is all thats mandatory.

 

[allweatherfan2]

The board of trustees might look at the options and costs and decide: a) because of the cost continue to do nothing - which they have been doing or b) sees the need to get something done and goes with the #1 priority - more permanent seating?

 

[Seattle Eagle]

A watered down expansion of Roos Field is perfectly fine with me. Track or no track, I'll survive. Something, ANYTHING, needs to be done to rectify that East side of the stadium. I'm not being picky, just put something together that adds capacity and improves the overall aesthetic.

This. A thousand times, this.

 

[MLEagle]

A watered down expansion of Roos Field is perfectly fine with me. Track or no track, I'll survive. Something, ANYTHING, needs to be done to rectify that East side of the stadium. I'm not being picky, just put something together that adds capacity and improves the overall aesthetic.

This. A thousand times, this.

I agree about the track. Some folks will say it's short sighted to leave the track, but I feel that with our budget we need to work on adding permanent seating capacity on the east side first.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

To All
Yesterday Monday during the 7 on 7, we had approximately 45 Walk-Ons, was so many individuals, forgot to see what the Players were doing. Was busy watching if we could get 10 Players, I think we had some very good prospects trying out for the team. Don't know who made it. Vic Wallace

 

[EagInTexas]

Quality seating on the east side of the stadium should always been the first priority. Anything involving track removal and associated cost should come second to that.

 

[EWUSigep447]

Emailed the president. She responded with "the project concepts have been changing, and we have been gathering information and ideas." She closed the email with "I know folks want to see progress—I feel certain that you’ll see movement very soon." Not much of an update, but we know that the original concept is not the path being sought. I feel as though this last couple years of silence have largely been the VPS and Directors just accepting the defeat, taking the project credit off of their linkedin accounts, and going forward with a majorly watered down version of the GWP. Tough pill to swallow, but its time to just pick something and go with it. We are losing momentum with the fans and time is not our friend right now. The project is still listed on the executives' linkedin accounts as targeted opening date of Sept 2016. Originally, it was Sept 2014. We can't keep pushing back on facility improvement. :thumbdown:

 

[allweatherfan2]

When the board discusses 'quality style' seating on the east side of the stadium, I hope they don't interpret quality style seating as more tinker toy bleachers like we have now on the north and east sides.

 

[EagleAlum07]

We need progressive thinking and the track needs to be removed before seating installed. I think Boise St and App St would alumni/admin wish they could go back in time and remove their tracks prior to expansion. Outside of Pelluer Invite and some state track meets, how many track events are actually held out at Roos? There is a nice flat rotting baseball diamond that would make a perfect location for a new dedicated track facility. Every high school in this state has a track & bleachers and anyone arguing that a the state's 3rd largest public university cannot afford to build one is just wrong. EWU resurfaced the track a few years ago which was kind of the writing on the wall GWP stalled. These funds should have been used to build a new track. Oh well, I will continue my EAF donations and tailgate rain or shine. Go Eags!

 

[LDopaPDX]

When the board discusses 'quality style' seating on the east side of the stadium, I hope they don't interpret quality style seating as more tinker toy bleachers like we have now on the north and east sides.

This is not ideal, I agree. However, something needs to be done pretty much ASAP. If we wind up with something like Sac State's grandstands, I'd be able to survive. For what it's worth, modular stadium construction has come a long way in the last few decades. I've seen some modular stadiums in Europe that look like high-end construction and you'd never know they were erector set bleachers.

I know Eastern has been getting after the higher price-tag donors lately and had a golf invite a while back. My guess is the project will be something we can feel good about, because I believe they have some cash already dedicated to the project. I'd love the track to go, but if it means we have to slow play the East grandstand, it's not important enough.

 

[MLEagle]

When the board discusses 'quality style' seating on the east side of the stadium, I hope they don't interpret quality style seating as more tinker toy bleachers like we have now on the north and east sides.

This is not ideal, I agree. However, something needs to be done pretty much ASAP. If we wind up with something like Sac State's grandstands, I'd be able to survive. For what it's worth, modular stadium construction has come a long way in the last few decades. I've seen some modular stadiums in Europe that look like high-end construction and you'd never know they were erector set bleachers.

I know Eastern has been getting after the higher price-tag donors lately and had a golf invite a while back. My guess is the project will be something we can feel good about, because I believe they have some cash already dedicated to the project. I'd love the track to go, but if it means we have to slow play the East grandstand, it's not important enough.

I hope you're right. Is it a guess about the cash in hand or do you have a credible source?

I feel a little more urgency because so we are ready for a move up if a split in the Big Sky happens. I think it is a dream of Idaho's and I like FCS, but I don't want a small stadium capacity to be a reason to be left behind.

 

[Seattle Eagle]

When the board discusses 'quality style' seating on the east side of the stadium, I hope they don't interpret quality style seating as more tinker toy bleachers like we have now on the north and east sides.

This is not ideal, I agree. However, something needs to be done pretty much ASAP. If we wind up with something like Sac State's grandstands, I'd be able to survive. For what it's worth, modular stadium construction has come a long way in the last few decades. I've seen some modular stadiums in Europe that look like high-end construction and you'd never know they were erector set bleachers.

I know Eastern has been getting after the higher price-tag donors lately and had a golf invite a while back. My guess is the project will be something we can feel good about, because I believe they have some cash already dedicated to the project. I'd love the track to go, but if it means we have to slow play the East grandstand, it's not important enough.

This is spot on. Someone did some cost analysis on modular type seating a while back. We can get a very professional look with something like this at a fraction of the cost. The priority needs to be getting us to the 15,000 seat mark and then worry about the other stuff later.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

To All,
As I have said on numerous times, I have given up on the "Gateway Project", should it come, I will be there supporting the project. I've waited long enough, and not getting any younger . Went out today for 7 on 7, forgot this is dead week, exams time. Saw one of our Players, he stated no 7 on 7 until the University starts back, which should be March 28th, 16. Spring Practice should start around that time, because the Red/White Game is in April. I was attempting on keeping this quiet. Shaq got hurt about a week ago, I think it is his same injury that kept him out of last year. I am hoping for the best. The New Roster is not out as yet. Hope it is very soon. Vic Wallace

 

[Rontheoldwiseeagle]

I heard at the BB game last night that news on the stadium is coming real soon. By that I mean before the events in April. I hope this is true

 

[EdubU10]

I heard at the BB game last night that news on the stadium is coming real soon. By that I mean before the events in April. I hope this is true

:thumb:

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

To All,
Ron if you heard something good last night, I will be very happy for whatever is available. I know I met one of my Student Patrolman that worked for me at EWU over 30 years ago. He has his own business, and is doing "Outstanding". When all the fires were going last year in that area, my mind was on him and family. The only thing I didn't like was when he told me his daughter was attending Gonzaga. She is doing very well for herself. He is a line to all the Foreign Students worked for me at EWU Police Department. His family was from Pakistan.sp, and very nice people. I know one good thing next month is the Steak/Lobster Gala. Golf Tournament is the week before. Go Eagles!!!!! Vic Wallace

 

[FormerEag]

I heard at the BB game last night that news on the stadium is coming real soon. By that I mean before the events in April. I hope this is true

Trying not to get my hopes up, but...

:mrgreen:

 

[BLACKFALKIN1]

I heard at the BB game last night that news on the stadium is coming real soon. By that I mean before the events in April. I hope this is true

Trying not to get my hopes up, but...

:mrgreen:

Track will be gone. With east side seating built. New capacity will be 17.5k. :fingerscrossed:

 

[allweatherfan2]

I will be thrilled it the approved project includes permanent, good looking east side stands that somewhat match the existing west side, and construction begins this summer. I will contribute to that plan.