EWU Board Approves Football Stadium Recommendation

September 6, 2019 By David Meany

Panoramic view of proposed football stadium renovation

CHENEY, Washington – The Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees (BOT) unanimously approved a $25 million private fundraising strategy to renovate the existing football stadium after long-awaited pre-design plans were unveiled Friday, Sept. 6, on the EWU campus.

A BOT-appointed task force recommended the renovation plan after studying all fundraising and facility enhancement opportunities, since state dollars cannot be used. Part of the review involved working with ALSC Architects of Spokane to create stadium renderings that would reflect a realistic project the university could pursue.

Renovating the stadium will be a game-changer for Eastern as it will create a dynamic venue with all new seats, premium seating options and an expansion of the east side stands.

“We like to talk about Eagle grit, and it’s certainly taken a lot of grit and hard work to get to this point,” says Lynn Hickey, director of athletics at EWU. “Eagle Nation deserves a space that matches the strength, passion and hard-work of a program and is a point of pride throughout the region and beyond. This is a reasonable plan that will give us that space.”

Hickey notes the stadium’s overall seating capacity won’t increase much under the plan, but fans will enjoy better seats and improved sight lines, with more seatback chairs, covered club level seating and private loge box seating. Additional amenities include more concessions and new restrooms located on both sides of the stadium, reflecting feedback from surveys and focus groups. The track will also be removed to create a more intimate environment.

“This stadium renovation plan will elevate the whole campus year-round,” says EWU President Mary Cullinan. “It will help Eastern recruit more high-caliber student-athletes and make that game day experience even more memorable.”

Construction will begin once the funds are raised, however the immediate need is to replace the red turf before the beginning of the 2020 football season.

For more information including a media kit with renderings and frequently asked questions, visit ewu.edu/stadium.