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Roos Field Renovation
- Thread starter NickEag
- Start date
I'm sort of left with the impression Eastern admin is just asleep at the wheel on this project. A new stadium? Why the hell did we lay new turf, build a new press box, and add a video board to Roos? It seems like we've gone from one grandiose, yet dysfunctional and fatally-flawed plan to another one.
Just build a steel structure on the East side and do it now.
The only major sports facility upgrade since the 70s was the press box at Roos, and admin turned a big donation into a total clusterfuck on that one. Not sure I see this being moved along with any greater level of competency.
Just build a steel structure on the East side and do it now.
The only major sports facility upgrade since the 70s was the press box at Roos, and admin turned a big donation into a total clusterfuck on that one. Not sure I see this being moved along with any greater level of competency.
FormerEag
Active member
LDopaPDX said:
I think this is the only true non-starter, both from the Athletic Department and University Admin standpoints. EWU has worked very hard the last 6 or 7 years to shed the reputation of being a commuter school. I'd rather they stand pat with Roos than move to Albi.
GoldenEagle
Active member
FormerEag said:
I wonder how many additional season tickets could be sold if the EAGS moved to Joe Albi? It is more accessible to the greater Spokane area and with the Vandals back in the fold ticket sales would likely increase. As it stands now with Roos Field, are potential season ticket holders being turned away? I would like to see an economic analysis of how many season ticket holders would be needed to begin to chip away at the cost of a new stadium. Use Joe Albi for a period of time to get the new stadium rolling. Just a thought.
GoldenEagle said:
I know the university doesn't get parking or concessions money at Albi, but I'd guess revenue would be greater drawing 15,000 instead of 9,000. I'd much rather draw that number in Cheney, but it doesn't sound like the university is even close on making that happen. I literally feel like they not just moved backward, but moved backwards in a giant leap.
The stadium as-is doesn't just hold us back from having better attendance, it also is a huge black eye to the university. It just gives the impression of being a second-tier university. You don't see many other conference schools settling for these kind of facilities.
clawman said:
You must not have been to many games in the last few years because our student section is packed and overflowing game in and game out. Our student section is on par with any in the Big Sky and if they had more seats they would fill them.
I personally think Albi is a horrible idea and would be bad for the program. I' have been a long time season ticket holder and love coming back on campus with my dad and son to watch games. Going to games at Albi felt like away games to me, and the student turn out would be 50%,if that. Horrible idea IMO.
Rafter_Reese
Active member
Man, I hope they don't move back to Albi (unless it was for a brief period while a stadium was being built). There's nothing like the TRUE GAMEDAY ATMOSPHERE that can only be felt by being on a college campus. Things have improved sooooo much over the years out in Cheney as far as the tailgate experience is concerned. Students are packing the games and it just keeps getting better. I hope we keep things in Cheney because I have quite a few friends (over 10) that will be buying season tickets to Roos Field for the first time ever. We are all looking forward to the experience in Cheney this Fall, and for many falls to come. Wish they would let new season ticket holders buy tickets before June 15th though. Anyone know why they make you wait that long?MLEagle said:
go eags!
I go to EVERY home game and 3-4 away games each year. My seats are in sec C row 18 which is adjacent to the student section so I am VERY familiar with the status. Enrollment @ EWU is over 12,000. The small student section may seem to be overflowing to you but it is a small % of overall enrollment. If you have ever been to a game in Msla or Bozeman you could understand where I am coming from.
clawman said:
As a recent student myself, I can attest that the student section is overcrowded and a small % of overall enrollment. Students choose not to go, because unless they show up 3 hours early they will either have to stand on the stairs (which everyone gets pissed at you for) or you have to sit all the way at the end zone where you can't see a thing. Even if you do manage to get there 3 hours early, you get absolutely crammed into your seat. You have to stand sideways in the bleachers and watch the game over your shoulder.
ewueagle2010
Active member
First off, regarding the students, I'm not sure why we're complaining. The current "student section" which is the first 9 rows across the main level has 2,000 seats. Anyone with common sense knows that more than one student per assigned spot is crammed into that area. For the last 3-4 seasons, they've had overflow seats in the south end zone. As a recent graduate, I know the numbers being reported for student attendance at football games was consistently in the 3-4k range. Although that may not seem great, I would be willing to bet it's pretty on par with most Universities.
As far as moving to Albi....No. It's not going to happen. It's not even being discussed and it's a terrible idea.
As far as moving to Albi....No. It's not going to happen. It's not even being discussed and it's a terrible idea.
Obzerver
Active member
1) "Gateway Gate"
2) Someone's hiding something...the SR story is too bizarre to be believed (sure hope so).
2) Project that big had to have a Plan B, Plan C or even a Plan D.
3) Was Plan B; if it falls thru(after 4-5 years) we'll mosey on over to Farmer Montagues place and ask if we can put a new stadium on the North 40?
4) 115 acres for $39,999? (I'll pay cash today if that true)
5) Did Chaves say new stadium? (I'll be dead when that project get's finished)
6) I had a dream....
2) Someone's hiding something...the SR story is too bizarre to be believed (sure hope so).
2) Project that big had to have a Plan B, Plan C or even a Plan D.
3) Was Plan B; if it falls thru(after 4-5 years) we'll mosey on over to Farmer Montagues place and ask if we can put a new stadium on the North 40?
4) 115 acres for $39,999? (I'll pay cash today if that true)
5) Did Chaves say new stadium? (I'll be dead when that project get's finished)
6) I had a dream....
Obzerver said:1) "Gateway Gate"
2) Someone's hiding something...the SR story is too bizarre to be believed (sure hope so).
2) Project that big had to have a Plan B, Plan C or even a Plan D.
3) Was Plan B; if it falls thru(after 4-5 years) we'll mosey on over to Farmer Montagues place and ask if we can put a new stadium on the North 40?
4) 115 acres for $39,999? (I'll pay cash today if that true)
5) Did Chaves say new stadium? (I'll be dead when that project get's finished)
6) I had a dream....
I hate the idea of Albi as well...
But let's be honest with ourselves...
The options presented seem to be:
1. do nothing--- we've been doing nothing for years, so this is essentially status quo
2. Prepare to build a new stadium--- it's taken 4 years just to diced the Gateway Project wasn't feasible, I'll be in my grave for a century before Easterns admin builds a new stadium
3. Move to Albi
Knowing our history, only 1 and 3 are, in any way, viable. The bait-and-switch stadium plans are a smokescreen for years of neglect.
Well I remember reading a report about the GP being built in stages with the first stage was relocating the track and moving the field closer to the west grand stand so they can start construction on the east side. Well they can't even make that first stage happen. On the podcast Chaves shot down the add more bleachers to the east side Idea because the infrastructure (restrooms and snack bar) wasn't there and too expensive to put in!ewueagle2010 said:
Again if they can't do a simple upgrade to the east side bleachers then why bat about the idea of a whole new stadium? Also what would you do with the old one?
The only thing I heard him say (at 13:45) that he did want was "I want increased premium seating surround football".
He wont even acknowledge that a new stadium is even a goal!
In the meantime , I'm in Atlanta watching SunTrust Park getting built with no expense spared. BTW, this is to replace a stadium that was only 20 years old.
The weird part is that it doesn't seem like other FCS universities seem to have the incredible difficulty getting dirt moved. It's especially concerning when schools with half of Eastern's tradition make things happen we can't dream of.
The weird part is that it doesn't seem like other FCS universities seem to have the incredible difficulty getting dirt moved. It's especially concerning when schools with half of Eastern's tradition make things happen we can't dream of.
EWUSigep447
Active member
I know that its petty and not any of my business, but I'm going to say it because I am getting incredibly frustrated about the GWP- I hate the Bill Chaves' Linkedin profile still takes credit for the project.
"Eastern Washington University Gateway Project
Starting January 2012
Imagine a multi-use, multi-impact, 365-day-a-year facility fronting Washington Street providing space for academics, athletics, student services and retail opportunities. The Gateway Project will enhance Eastern Washington University, creating a university living space that supports campus life, recruiting, retention and enhanced community access, while brining the existing football stadium to a level consistent with NCAA peers.
350,000 sf total area
20,000 sf street level retail
40,000 sf commercial office
12,000 seats (+10,000 delta)
Club area lounge and heated exterior seating
Premium seating with multiple tiers (loge, cabana and executive suites)
Football operations and performance center
Student-athlete academic success center
$54M estimated construction cost
Target opening date of September 2016 "
"Eastern Washington University Gateway Project
Starting January 2012
Imagine a multi-use, multi-impact, 365-day-a-year facility fronting Washington Street providing space for academics, athletics, student services and retail opportunities. The Gateway Project will enhance Eastern Washington University, creating a university living space that supports campus life, recruiting, retention and enhanced community access, while brining the existing football stadium to a level consistent with NCAA peers.
350,000 sf total area
20,000 sf street level retail
40,000 sf commercial office
12,000 seats (+10,000 delta)
Club area lounge and heated exterior seating
Premium seating with multiple tiers (loge, cabana and executive suites)
Football operations and performance center
Student-athlete academic success center
$54M estimated construction cost
Target opening date of September 2016 "
1) Albi...terrible idea. The West Plains and Cheney are growing and we pull quite a few people from Spokane already. Plus, enrollment is projected to increase another 5,000 by 2020. If you look at the long game, you want those future alumnus to self identify with the school and Cheney. They are the future season ticket holders and donors. We already average a sellout and if we keep winning attendance will continue to grow. Turning people away from ANY game at this point is flat out stupid.
2) There is nothing wrong with the CURRENT location of the stadium. I would submit it's one of the finest in all of the country. Perched atop the highest incorporated city in the state of Washington with amazing views of the Palouse, Steptoe, Kamiak Butte, and the Idaho foothills. Closer to all the athletic facilities. r
It just needs more (and more quality) seating, parking, crappers, and no track. The money has got to be there for this already if the administration has a desire. I saw the bill for those two concrete signs that went in a few years ago on Washington by the entrance to the new parking lot and the other down on Elm. They cost $700,000. :shock: That gets you a long way toward the temporary fixes and keeps the impression that you're continuing and willing to improve (which also keeps prospective donor's attention).
3) Yes, teachers don't have the discretionary income to make big donations. But there are a poop ton of EWU teachers out there. Maybe a crowd-funding campaign needs to started (get it? literally a crowd funding campaign!). But there are also probably more well-healed alumnus than any of us realize and I know they have been reached out to. Everybody wants it now but we are still less than a decade removed from being a very small program with small fund raising efforts. We have come a LONG way in that regard too but relationship building to the point where major asks and the resulting successes take a LONG time as well.
4) Vic is my hero. I want to be just like Vic. No wait...I want to eventually kick Vic's ass with my level of donations. I'm decades behind you buddy...but I'm coming for ya! :notworthy:
5) FormerEag: "Paradoxically"??? Really? Haven't we talked about this before? Lineman can't use words like that... :rule:
:mrgreen:
2) There is nothing wrong with the CURRENT location of the stadium. I would submit it's one of the finest in all of the country. Perched atop the highest incorporated city in the state of Washington with amazing views of the Palouse, Steptoe, Kamiak Butte, and the Idaho foothills. Closer to all the athletic facilities. r
It just needs more (and more quality) seating, parking, crappers, and no track. The money has got to be there for this already if the administration has a desire. I saw the bill for those two concrete signs that went in a few years ago on Washington by the entrance to the new parking lot and the other down on Elm. They cost $700,000. :shock: That gets you a long way toward the temporary fixes and keeps the impression that you're continuing and willing to improve (which also keeps prospective donor's attention).
3) Yes, teachers don't have the discretionary income to make big donations. But there are a poop ton of EWU teachers out there. Maybe a crowd-funding campaign needs to started (get it? literally a crowd funding campaign!). But there are also probably more well-healed alumnus than any of us realize and I know they have been reached out to. Everybody wants it now but we are still less than a decade removed from being a very small program with small fund raising efforts. We have come a LONG way in that regard too but relationship building to the point where major asks and the resulting successes take a LONG time as well.
4) Vic is my hero. I want to be just like Vic. No wait...I want to eventually kick Vic's ass with my level of donations. I'm decades behind you buddy...but I'm coming for ya! :notworthy:
5) FormerEag: "Paradoxically"??? Really? Haven't we talked about this before? Lineman can't use words like that... :rule:
:mrgreen:
ewueagle2010
Active member
Just noticed the start date of this thread. Happy 6th birthday "Roos Field Renovation/The Gateway Project." 6 years and all we have to show is turf and a scoreboard. :lol:
