Roos Field Renovation

[marceagfan5]

Honest question. Michael Roos donated $500,000 to have the red carpet installed. Looking back, would you rather have had his $500,000 go towards kick starting the Gateway Project, or are you satisfied with the red turf? I know $500,000 isn't much in comparison to the total cost of the project, but it would have at least got something started.

As much as visiting fans hate it and it can be ugly on TV, no way we'd take the $500k back from the red turf. Love it or hate it, the red turf has been a huge benefit to EWU. It brings attention to the program, gives the players a lot to be proud of, and its unique. On top of that....17/18 year old kids absolutely LOVE it, and its been a huge bonus in recruiting...

 

[ewueagle2010]

Honest question. Michael Roos donated $500,000 to have the red carpet installed. Looking back, would you rather have had his $500,000 go towards kick starting the Gateway Project, or are you satisfied with the red turf? I know $500,000 isn't much in comparison to the total cost of the project, but it would have at least got something started.

Personally, I would still pick the turf. The color of the turf didn't add much more to the cost of installing turf, if anything at all. The whole point of getting turf was to save on water costs and have a solid surface for practice and games. In the end, this is better for athletes to improve their skills and overall make the team better. Having more stands and a nicer stadium is great for fans and plays into recruiting some, but not as much as turf, IMO. As frustrating as it is to see such a great program playing in a glorified high school stadium (or maybe not that glorified), it's more important to have a winning program on the field with high quality athletes playing at the top of their game.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Honest question. Michael Roos donated $500,000 to have the red carpet installed. Looking back, would you rather have had his $500,000 go towards kick starting the Gateway Project, or are you satisfied with the red turf? I know $500,000 isn't much in comparison to the total cost of the project, but it would have at least got something started.

Personally, I would still pick the turf. The color of the turf didn't add much more to the cost of installing turf, if anything at all. The whole point of getting turf was to save on water costs and have a solid surface for practice and games. In the end, this is better for athletes to improve their skills and overall make the team better. Having more stands and a nicer stadium is great for fans and plays into recruiting some, but not as much as turf, IMO. As frustrating as it is to see such a great program playing in a glorified high school stadium (or maybe not that glorified), it's more important to have a winning program on the field with high quality athletes playing at the top of their game.

I don't think $500k would have done much to kickstart a new stadium. Especially when the $500k was paid in installments. I thought at the time that the money would be better spent on upgrading facilities, but I've come to be very happy with the red turf. That said, it doesn't lessen the immediate need to upgrade.

It would be hard for me to believe the university hasn't researched what they'd need from a bond to pull this off. This is the kind of information it would be nice to hear reported. I mean, with added seats and more premium seating options to sell, you'd have to assume the project would pay for itself after an allotment of time. How long until the university would see ROI? 5 years, 10 years, 20 years? The truth is very little else could be built on campus with a projected return; this one should be relatively easy to justify compared to other facilities projects that the university might be considering.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

Rafter,
I agree with you. I remembered when we played Montana, we used to bring in Extra Bleachers, and the place was packed. I heard that we stopped that because Montana bring in as much Fans as we did. So the butts in the seats were diminished. Bob and Ray Beer, always made out, some strong "DRINKERS" nothing negative, they really enjoyed them selves. We need something to bring in some money, because it doesn't seem like the University could care less. If we doesn't do something, I think our Fans may start leaving the program. I heard recently that we were $6,000.000, in the Red, that is why the other stuff, i.e. PUB Renovation, and new Science Building is on the hold. Don't know how truthful that is. Vic Wallace

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

To All,
If you haven't seen it as yet, the above is out. Sunday Aug 7, Newcomers Report, Orientation and Conditioning.
Monday Aug 8, Veterans Report. Orientation and Conditioning. Tuesday Aug 9 - 9:15am First Practice, Wednesday Aug 10, 9:15 am, Thursday Aug 11, 9:15am, Friday Aug 12, 9:15 am (First practice in FULL PADS), Saturday Aug 13, 9:15 am, & 3 pm, Sunday Aug 14 OFF. There is more, you can research yourselves. All Practices will be on the Grass Field, through Aug 17, then will return to the Red Turf. Practices will be conducted until Sept 1. Sept 2, Team will Travel to Pullman. There are two Scrimmages are scheduled, Saturday Aug 20, 9:45a.m. & Aug 26th 9:45 am, Both at Roos Field. Game is on Sept 3rd, @ 5 p.m. Pac 12 Networks. Will be at my BUDDY Home, DIREC TV does not carry PAC 12, DIRECTV is kind of pissing me off, I will be switching very soon. Have been with DIREC TV for years, and never nothing for Current Customers, always for New Ones. Good Luck to All. Vic Wallace

 

[Rafter_Reese]

I really hope the university is looking at this from an INVESTMENT standpoint. When you make a good investment in life, it PAYS YOU back. One of the best investments any school that has a football program can make is to invest in their stadium/facilities. This draws better recruits. Better recruits = More Wins. More Wins = More Fans. More Fans = More Money. More Money = More for the school to invest in ALL areas of the school. I know it's a different sport but I think EWU needs to look at GU's basketball model. The school as a whole is thriving because of their basketball program. A new arena/stadium goes a long ways. Look at all the brand new dorms GU is putting up right now. Not only can they afford the dorms because of the basketball revenue, it also means more students want to go to the school because of the success of their program. More students also = More money. They figured it out. Sometimes an investment can be a little painful upfront, but in the LONG RUN it pays BIG dividends. Short term thinkers don't make much money. And we need more money, not only to build new stadiums, but also to attract/keep top tier coaching talent. :twocents:

go eags!

 

[scottywashere11]

The GWP/Stadium Upgrade is hands down the most, if not only, majorly frustrating part of being a diehard fan of this program over the past four years. issed:

 

[FormerEag]

The GWP/Stadium Upgrade is hands down the most, if not only, majorly frustrating part of being a diehard fan of this program over the past four years. issed:

Defense

 

[LDopaPDX]

The GWP/Stadium Upgrade is hands down the most, if not only, majorly frustrating part of being a diehard fan of this program over the past four years. issed:

Defense

Both points are fair enough. The issue with the stadium is that it seems so remarkably obvious to anyone paying attention that we don't have level-adequate facilities. You don't need better recruiting or coaching to improve it. And I think I speak for everyone when I say the expectation isn't having the best football facilities in the Big Sky; I just want a stadium that is on par with the rest of the upper-tier FCS programs and demonstrates Eastern's commitment to being a relevant Northwest university.

The defense is also a scary thought; it's painful to think how much better we could have been over the last 5 seasons had we just played a smidgeon of coherent defense.

Coming off of the utter tragedy that was the end of our last season, the time would have been perfect to deflect attention from the catastrophe and onto something positive by announcing stadium improvements. Strangely, Eastern seemed to find money to pave a giant new parking lot behind the stadium. While that's cool, I'd rather see every dollar used on stadium improvements to go to improving the East side. Frankly, nothing else is really all that important at Roos Field--- and certainly nothing should take precedence over getting that East side up to speed.

 

[ddm]

FWIW, I have not been to a game in 2 years or so since I am tired of sitting on COLD METAL bleachers or by the goal post fearing of being hit by a flying ball. I have lived in Cheney over 30 years. The last game I attended was a playoff game and I was stuck on the top metal bleacher row in freezing weather with the breeze cutting through layers of clothing. We all left at half time. I will not be back until better accommodations are in place, therefore, probably never. I went with 4 other long term residents of this town and none of us have returned. I am sure, if they build it, we would once again be there but in the meantime, the radio is better than those horrid metal bleachers.

 

[93bird]

Has this what it's come to? People complaining about playoff games? Unless we go full Fargo Dome, playoff games in Cheney will always be cold. Metal bleachers or not. I first attended Eastern nearly 30 years ago. The winter weather was the same, as were the residents. Miserable.

 

[EdubU10]

Bring a blanket or seat cushion if the bleachers are too cold for ya. I get tired of the excuses people make about not coming out to a game. We have the best program in the state and yet people will find excuses. Yeah, I'm not happy with the current stadium situation but I'm not letting it get in the way of me driving across the state 5-6 times a year to watch a game.

 

[FormerEag]

FWIW, I have not been to a game in 2 years or so since I am tired of sitting on COLD METAL bleachers or by the goal post fearing of being hit by a flying ball. I have lived in Cheney over 30 years. The last game I attended was a playoff game and I was stuck on the top metal bleacher row in freezing weather with the breeze cutting through layers of clothing. We all left at half time. I will not be back until better accommodations are in place, therefore, probably never. I went with 4 other long term residents of this town and none of us have returned. I am sure, if they build it, we would once again be there but in the meantime, the radio is better than those horrid metal bleachers.

^ Grizz troll.

 

[ewueagle2010]

Don't feed the trolls. I highly doubt a first time poster would come on here just to complain about something that stupid.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Has this what it's come to? People complaining about playoff games? Unless we go full Fargo Dome, playoff games in Cheney will always be cold. Metal bleachers or not. I first attended Eastern nearly 30 years ago. The winter weather was the same, as were the residents. Miserable.

According to Eastern's media guide, 15 straight regular season home games have been above the 8,600 capacity. While I can understand someone having a pet peeve for the crappy metal bleachers, filling the stadium hasn't been a problem. The very fact that we continually fill the POS stadium ought to be one helluva reason to expand. As mentioned before, there would be a stiff upfront cost, but it will eventually generate a return. That's what bothers me so much about this topic, keeping the stadium "as-is" is the ultimate short term thinking. Had the university built the East side either of the first two times it was part of a press release, Eastern would already be in the black on the project.

 

[Guitarguy]

Not to get any hopes up, but I was strolling through EWU last week and noticed the Board of Trustee program for Friday's meeting was posted. Under New Business, Bill Chaves, Mike Westfall and Mary Voves were listed as presenting stadium options.

Not much to go on, but at least it shows that there is something occurring to the point they needed to update the BOT.

 

[ewueagle2010]

Not to get any hopes up, but I was strolling through EWU last week and noticed the Board of Trustee program for Friday's meeting was posted. Under New Business, Bill Chaves, Mike Westfall and Mary Voves were listed as presenting stadium options.

Not much to go on, but at least it shows that there is something occurring to the point they needed to update the BOT.

This is true, I saw the agenda online and it read that the three of them were presenting on stadium renovations for 45 minutes last Thursday.

https://www.ewu.edu/Documents/Administration/BOT/2016/BOT%20Retreat%20Agenda_CMS.pdf

 

[clawman1]

Those are very capable hands to make a presentation. If anything is possible I am sure they will make it happen.
GO Bill, Mike, and Mary!

 

[Obzerver]

Any chance the minutes of that meeting are accessible? Wonder where one would look...someone on here tech savy?

 

[ewueagle2010]

Any chance the minutes of that meeting are accessible? Wonder where one would look...someone on here tech savy?

I looked and the minutes have not been published yet. My guess is that they won't be until approved at the next meeting.